African penguin population rapidly declining
The declining African Penguin population has raised people's concern, for the habitats of the bird is being hit by rising tides caused by climate change.
International Penguin Awareness Day was marked Saturday, giving southern Africa a chance to focus on why the colonies of the bird are decreasing. Experts said South Africa has around 16,500 breeding pairs of this endangered bird, compared with nearly 20,000 pairs in 2015.
Boulders Beach in Simon's Town is named after the gigantic granite outcrops or Boulders on its shore. It's also home to one of the 28 African Penguin habitats endemic to the Southern African coast, which are found only in South Africa and Namibia.
This colony in Simon's Town is the only place in the world where people can swim freely with these endangered wild birds. However, their survival is under threat, because there's just not enough fish in the sea.
Rising seas, as a result of global warming, has led to habitat destruction and a shortage of breeding spaces for these penguins. At Boulders Beach, they are encouraged to use artificial nest boxes to increase their chances of breeding success.
In addition, this penguin colony which is just about an hour's drive from Cape Town, attracts nearly a million visitors every year. Tourists from around the world flock here to see the vulnerable African Penguin in its natural habitat.
(Source: Reuters)
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