Small wins for African penguins amid a sharp population decline

Last Friday, a female African penguin was successfully released back into the wild on Halifax Island near Lüderitz. Named AP002, the penguin was cared for by the Namibian Foundation for the Conservation of Seabirds (Namcob) for 49 days before she was ready to return to her family. Rescued as an underweight chick, dedicated care saw her quickly gain weight and become a healthy young penguin.

Penguins are only released back into the wild when they are in good condition and have waterproof feathers. Every single rehabilitated penguin is a big success given the serious situation penguins face. With less than 10 000 breeding pairs left, Africa’s only penguin species was the first and only penguin worldwide to be listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List in October 2024.

Experts say if nothing changes the species could be extinct in the wild by 2035. ALARMING African penguins only breed in South Africa and Namibia. But Namibia has only a small share of the total population, and their numbers are dropping fast.