On Saturday, Tommy and I went to visit the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach, on the other side of the peninsular from where I live, by local train ( my first time on the trains ). Cost R12 ( $1.80 ) for a 1 hour journey. Another case of dimishing numbers and obvious pressure from humans. About 2/3 of the area previously set aside to mingle with the penguins is now occupied by families using the relatively protected beach for swimming and beach picnics. There was only a small colony of the birds actually on the beach with just a few going to and from the sea. There were quite a few in the bushes above the beach. Last year, the park people laid down a number of what look like plastic milk cans all over the site for the birds to nest safely. This now does give the place a "cheap" look! However, apparently the birds moult in December and do not feed during this period so my disappointment may have been simply a case of bad timing.
African Penguin
The African Penguin is listed as a vunerable species. Of the 1.5 million population estimated in 1910, only some 10% remained at the end of the 20th century. The uncontrolled harvesting of eggs ( as a source of food ) and guano scrapping nearly drove the species to extinction. Because of their donkey-like braying call they were previously named the Jackass Penguin.
At Boulders Beach, from just 2 breeding pairs in 1982, the penguin colony has grown to about 3,000 in recent years.
Their diet consists mainly of squid and shoal fish such as pilchards and anchovy. They can swim at an average speed of 7kph and can stay submerged for up to 2 minutes. Their enemies include sharks, cape fur seals, and on occassion, killer whales (Orca). Land-based enemies include mongoose, genet, domestic cats and dogs - and the kelp gulls which steal their eggs and new born chicks.
Their distinctive black and white colouring is a vital form of camoflage - white for underwater predators looking upwards and black for predators looking down onto the water.
Although the african penguin breeds throughout the year, the main breeding season starts in February. They are a monogamous species and the lifelong partners take turns to incubate their eggs and to feed their young.
Peak moulting time is during December, after which they head out to sea to feed ( since they do not feed during moulting). They return in January to mate and begin nesting from about February to August.
Penguins have very sharp beaks and can cause serious injury if they bite or lunge.
Couldn't resist this innovative form of security. This is how the Magistrates Court in Simonstown was secured!
