9 minute read
Tuxedoed Treasures A spotlight on African Penguins
There is a crisis unfolding in Namibian waters. The quintessentially cute African Penguin is facing imminent threat of extinction. This matters, not only because these adorable black and white waddling creatures are an emblem of African waters, but also because they fulfil a role in the ecosystem. Like with a Jenga tower, removing blocks risks the stability of the entire structure.
It is a clear and chilly morning as we set off on the Zeepaard, a catamaran that – depending on the weather – departs daily from Robert Harbour in Lüderitz. Our group of intrepid travellers has embarked on this voyage to Halifax Island with the promise of seeing African Penguins in their natural habitat. This is not a Netflix show where penguins waddle through streets in a South African coastal town, nesting in people’s gardens and attracting tourists to witness the encroachment of humans on wildlife. No, what we are about to see is wild species undisturbed. Or are we?
The day before our boat trip to Halifax Island, I met with Ukarapo Mungunda, the coordinator at NAMCOB (Namibian Foundation for the Conservation of Seabirds), and Natanael Hangula, a seabird ranger, who are working to protect seabirds along the Namibian coast, especially the African Penguin.
Ukarapo explains that, as of October, the African Penguin has been uplisted to critically endangered status, reinforcing the necessity for immediate action. “As top predators, penguins play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem, primarily feeding on fish. Their presence is essential. Removing them from the food chain can create a ripple effect throughout the ecosystem. They are integral to the balance of marine life,” she adds.
The establishment of NAMCOB is part of the NIMPA+ project, which focuses on managing the Namibian Islands’ Marine Protected Area (NIMPA), centred in Lüderitz, with support from implementing partners like the Namibia Nature Foundation and Blue Marine Foundation. Ukarapo continues, “Stretching 400 kilometres long and 30 kilometres wide, this marine protected area prohibits fishing, ensuring a safe habitat for its marine life. Within our exclusive economic zone, we are concentrating on four islands: Halifax, Mercury, Ichaboe and Possession. These islands are home to a small colony of penguins, which has drastically declined from about 5,500 pairs to just 1,000 pairs in recent years. This alarming drop underscores the urgent need for intervention.”
African Penguin populations have declined by more than 60% since the early 1980s. Halifax Island, a small rocky island about 200 metres from the mainland near Lüderitz, is the third most important breeding site for African Penguins in Namibia.
NAMCOB is the counterpart to SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds). The goal of NAMCOB is to monitor and manage these islands more effectively. “By placing rangers on the islands, we aim to better understand the challenges these penguins face, including climate change and overfishing,” says Ukarapo.
Back To The Boat
Historically, the islands off the coast of Namibia served as safe havens for these penguins, with visitors often describing them as standing shoulder to shoulder across the landscape. According to the captain of our boat, Heiko Metzger, the ecological imbalance started with the historical extraction of guano from these islands, which continued until the early 1990s, when accumulated deposits of seabird guano were stripped from many Southern African islands. At Ichaboe Island sporadic guano extraction persisted until 2016. This extraction displaced seabirds, reducing breeding success. It also created hollows on some islands, allowing rain to accumulate, which on occasion flooded nests.
When we arrive at Halifax Island, a cloud of gloom descends over our boat. We have seen the photos decorating the walls inside – images from years past, library archive footage of what was once a sight to behold. Now, this rocky island hosts only small patches of African Penguins. Scattered groups barely cover any of the surface area. One could hardly imagine a scene so different from the pictures of yesteryear. Nothing is as chilling as witnessing firsthand how significantly their numbers have declined.
“If penguins were to become extinct, it would have significant consequences not just for their predators but also for the species they prey upon. The interconnectedness of the food web means that the loss of one species can lead to unforeseen impacts on others, highlighting the importance of preserving these remarkable birds,” says Ukarapo.
As Natanael puts it, “All living organisms have a right to thrive, including the penguins. Even if we don’t directly benefit from them in tangible ways, like wildlife that offers trophies or meat, we should still give them a chance to flourish. Their presence contributes to the ecosystem’s health and biodiversity, which ultimately benefits us all.”
Natanael is a passionate birder who has participated in many biannual wetland birding counts. He explains that penguins are a special species: “What fascinates me most about penguins is their incredible resilience and tolerance for injury. It’s astonishing to see a penguin with a deep wound still moving as if nothing is wrong. They often hide their pain well, displaying a remarkable will to survive and fight back when threatened.”
Ukarapo reiterates this point: “Those little guys are surprisingly tough! They might look delicate, but they’re resilient fighters. Plus, who doesn’t love their little waddle?”
Surprisingly, as Natanael explains, while penguins are incredibly resilient, they are also exceptionally sensitive to their environment, making them excellent indicators of ecosystem health.
The Plan To Help The Penguins
Conservation efforts are advancing with NAMCOB’s involvement. According to Ukarapo, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) often struggles to maintain a presence on the islands and access necessary resources for research. Improvements in data collection and management will lead to more effective seabird conservation policies. She explains, “While the MFMR has historical data, it is not sufficient to paint a complete picture. Our collaboration with the MFMR aims to collect comprehensive information on penguin populations. We are finalising a memorandum of understanding with the MFMR to deploy rangers on the islands.”
Ukarapo continues, “With the Namport expansion on the horizon, establishing a comprehensive baseline of data along the Lüderitz coast is crucial. Additionally, we must evaluate ocean activities like fishing and upcoming oil developments. Identifying healthy habitats and thriving species indicates that resource extraction is being done sustainably. By collaborating with the MFMR to gather this data, we can inform policies that minimise negative impacts. For example, if vessel noise disrupts penguin populations, we could advocate for a five-nautical-mile buffer zone around islands. Our goal is to ensure data collection translates into effective policies that protect marine life.”
Ukarapo emphasises that this research component is crucial, especially because of the limited data currently available. Natanael adds, “Currently, we’re focusing on four main islands:
Halifax, the primary breeding ground for penguins, along with Possession, Ichaboe and Mercury. Halifax still supports a breeding population, while Mercury has dwindled to fewer than 50 penguins, down from thousands.”
Natanael explains that besides the crisis facing the African penguin, it is also a species that provides great insights into the ecosystem because they consistently return to their breeding sites after foraging. “For penguins, their breeding sites are like their homes, unlike other birds that may explore or move their nests to other sites.”
Rehabilitating Injured Penguins
Another function of NAMCOB is the rehabilitation of oiled, sick or injured seabirds. Currently, the team is using the MFMR rehabilitation pen in Lüderitz to care for injured or oiled penguins. This is a temporary solution while they are renovating buildings that will become NAMCOB’s permanent home in Lüderitz. The ambitious plans include constructing a larger rehabilitation pen that will allow for school tours and enable visitors to see their important work firsthand. “As part of NAMCOB’s mission, we actively engage with schools, communities and fishermen to raise awareness about marine life and our conservation efforts,” says Ukarapo.
Observing the penguins up close at the pen is a special experience, even though they have faced significant challenges due to oil spills and injuries that require intensive care until they can be released.
Standing here, watching these little tuxedoed treasures, it is easy to see why penguins are among people’s favourite seabirds. They are cute, curious and beautiful, with just a hint of mischief that makes them utterly charming.
Ukarapo emphasises the need for broader conservation efforts: “Many initiatives in Namibia focus on inland areas, but we must recognise the importance of our 1,500-kilometre coastline. This region is vital to our ecological heritage and deserves attention. Our waters are home to unique marine animals, and protecting this biodiversity is crucial, especially since the ocean covers about 70% of the Earth’s surface and supports our livelihoods. Raising awareness about these issues is essential for the sustainability of our marine ecosystems for future generations.”
Kirsty Watermeyer
First published in the Summer 2024/25 issue of Travel Namibia magazine. Subscribe to Travel Namibia here: www.travelnewsnamibia.zinioapps.com/shop
DID YOU KNOW?
• Unique patterns: Each African Penguin has a distinct feather pattern on its chest, much like human fingerprints, making them easily identifiable.
• Lifelong partners: African Penguins are monogamous and form lifelong pair bonds with their mates.
• Historical significance: African Penguins are believed to be one of the first penguin species discovered by humans.
• African exclusivity: They are the only penguin species found in Africa.
• Small size: The African Penguin is one of the smallest penguin species.
• Renowned resilience: They are known for their endurance and ability to withstand hardships, embodying the saying “dynamite comes in small packages”.
• Diving skills: These hardy little penguins can hold their breath for over two minutes and dive to depths of over 130 metres!
• Communication skills: African Penguins communicate through unique vocalisations and body language, with each individual having its own distinct call.
• Vision adaptations: Penguins have flattened corneas, improving their underwater vision and allowing them to see clearly on land. They also have third eyelids, called nictitating membranes, to protect their eyes from saltwater.
• Cooling mechanism: African Penguins have pink glands above their eyes that help cool them down in the summer heat; the hotter they get, the pinker these glands become.
• Special intelligence: African Penguins are incredibly intelligent, as research shows they can recognise each other by memorising each penguin’s unique pattern of markings.
• Population decline: African Penguin populations have plummeted from millions of breeding pairs in the early 20th century. As an indicator species, their presence and numbers reflect the overall health of their marine ecosystem.
