An Adoption Story: African Penguins

The idea to adopt an African penguin came to me after visiting two wild penguin colonies in South Africa - the first at Boulder's Beach (False Bay) and the other at Stony Point (Betty's Bay). It was my first time witnessing penguins in their natural habitat and I loved every second of it. After learning that their population has gone from a staggering four million in the early 1900's to just 21,000 breeding pairs left in the wild today (South Africa & Namibia) I felt compelled to help.

  

African penguins are interesting little creatures to watch and photograph, each with their own distinct personality. But I noticed a common theme amongst the colonies. Nervousness. These are astutely aware creatures. Perhaps, they are even cognisant of their declining population and endangered status.  

So in lieu of chocolates, and a romantic dinner for two, this year my partner and I opted for a rather unorthodox Valentine's Day gift to one another. As I wrote about in my last post, African penguins are a monogamous species. Usually, male and female penguins mate for life and for this reason (among others) I thought adopting a pair would be a much more appropriate way to celebrate the day. 

If you feel the same and are interested in doing something for a great cause please check out more details in my post just below. For $42 USD we contributed in the smallest way we could, to help in the rehabilitation of an abandoned chick and an injured adult penguin.

The people over at SANCCOB (South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) are working very hard to give these birds a fighting chance. If you have a moment please make your way over to their page to see how you can get involved.

Adopt an Endangered African Penguin for your Valentine!

To commemorate Valentine's Day this year, I thought it would be appropriate to post about the endangered African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus), or as I like to call them: lovebirds! These flightless birds, are as you may know, monogamous; with a startling 80-90% of couples remaining together for their entire lives! Can you imagine? That percentage is far higher than us homo sapiens!

South African Penguins "Lovebirds"

A FEW FACTS ABOUT AFRICAN PENGUINS

The breeding season is mostly between the months of March and May, however, it seems you can find a few couples in some stage of the breeding cycle throughout the year. Apparently this is quite different from most other bird species.

These lovebirds begin mating around the age of four and usually results in the creation of two eggs, one for each parent (the perfect size family).  During the incubation period, which usually lasts about 40 days, the pair takes equal turns caring for the eggs.

  

Their habitat ranges from Port Elizabeth, South Africa up the western coast of the country and into Namibia. However, due to habitat destruction, declining food sources, domestic pets/animals, and global warming their numbers are quickly dwindling. At the moment there are just a mere 18,683 breeding pairs left in the wild in South Africa, just a fraction of what it used to be.

Located very close to Simons Town, South Africa this particular colony of African penguins is situated on Boulders Beach and as a result they have been given the name: Boulders Penguin Colony

HOW YOU CAN HELP

While I was in South Africa, I came across an amazing organisation, SANCCOB, working very hard to protect African penguins and other seabirds in the region. At the moment, and in honour of Valentine's Day, they are offering a very special way to help an endangered species while at the same time providing one of the most unique gifts to your special someone. 

For 500 Rand (South African Currency) or $42.27 USD, you can adopt two African penguins for the price you would normally pay for just one. 

Better yet, you will get to name the penguins (perhaps, after your partner and yourself ;o) and you'll receive a photograph of the penguins that have been meticulously cared for before they release them back into the wild South African landscape.

Here are two links for more information. The first is their home page and the second will take you directly to the adoption page:

1)  http://www.sanccob.co.za/?view=featured

2) Valentine's 2 for 1 Special - Adopt an African Penguin:

http://www.sanccob.co.za/you-can-help/adopt-a-penguin/adopt-a-penguin-detail

DID YOU KNOW?

Americans spend roughly 20 billion dollars on Valentine's Day each year?! Why not spend on something charitable this year?

Juvenile Male Penguins at Betty's Bay, South Africa

To learn more about how to visit the African penguins for your next trip to South Africa,        check out:

http://www.sanparks.org/parks/table_mountain/tourism/attractions.php

And of course, HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO ALL THE LOVEBIRDS OUT THERE!

J-

Cape Fur Seals | Seal Island, South Africa

If you ever have the opportunity to visit South Africa, I'd strongly encourage you to make your way to Seal Island in False Bay. Less than an hour from Cape Town and only eight nautical miles out to sea you will find yourself immersed in a raw and foreign environment where survival of the fittest can be witnessed daily. The waters around this island are patrolled by dozens, if not hundreds of Great White Sharks, making life extremely precarious for the boisterous group of seabirds and seals which call the island home.

Seal Island - Home to 60,000 Cape Fur Seals 

Playing in the shallow pools close to the island is quite safe as the sharks prefer deeper depths

 However, once the seals leave the safety of the shallow pools to find food they become vulnerable

A Cape Fur Seal swimming for its life from a Great White Shark - not sure he made it home

Finding myself in the midst of a clamorous Cape Fur Seal Colony off of South Africa’s southern coast was really icing on the cake after a spectacular great white cage diving experience. I love wildlife (in case that isn’t obvious) and can never seem to get enough of it. To come face to face with a colony of seals 60,000 strong shortly after looking into the eyes of one of the oceans greatest predators was an wholly satisfying experience that I cannot recommend enough. If cage diving with great whites isn't your cup of tea, no worries! The topside action is worth the trip on its own. You can learn more about cage diving in South Africa and the best times visit here.

Simon's Town, South Africa - Departures to Seal Island leave from this beautiful seaside town

Have you ever seen so many seals in one place? 

If so, I would love to hear about it!

An Odd Encounter

After an early morning cage diving adventure in Simon's Town, South Africa the next logical thing to consider is a journey to the rugged Cape of Good Hope. Simon's Town is a great jumping off point for seeing this beautiful terrain and I was quite excited about the day ahead.

However, after the amazing shark encounter I must admit tackling the day covered from head to toe in salt and fish chum was not ideal. Not such a pleasant thought, right? Unfortunately for me it was the reality of the day. It's odd that this only occurred to me the morning of (and so I was as prepared as I could be with wet wipes, deodorant, body spray and of course a change of clothes) but I do suppose that if you are going to spend a day reeking of dead fish there is no better place to do that than the great outdoors.

Cape of Good Hope - The most south-western part of the African continent 

Although I would have preferred a shower, the breath-taking scenery all along the coastal Cape was well-worth the hygienic compromise. The mountainous landscape was littered with a wide array of colourful flora. We were told there was a possibility of sighting anything from mountain zebra and wildebeest to ostrich and baboons. With eyes glued to the landscape in hopes of sighting any of the indigenous wildlife that call the Cape their home, I was not disappointed; both wildebeest and ostrich made an appearance.   

Nearing our destination, we stumbled upon what I think qualifies as an truly extraordinary sight. Sure, we have all seen ostriches before, whether in a zoo or on television, but how often do you see images of an ostrich by the sea? Odd, right? Would love to hear your thoughts on this strange sight!