Splash Out and Save the African Penguin
Designer Swimsuit
Ask any Olympic swimmer: if you’re going for gold, you need a serious swimsuit. The African Penguin Spheniscus demersus might look comical in that formal black-and-white suit, but in open water it rivals Ryk Neethling!
African penguins can stay underwater for up to 5 minutes and dive to depths of 130 metres. An adult penguin in fresh plumage can whiz after a sardine at 20km/h and cruise along quite happily at 10km/h. If that doesn’t sound impressive, try it next time you’re paddling in 4-degree Celsius sea at a depth of 25 metres!
Not only is that striped tuxedo designed to reduce drag for maximum velocity, but the distinctive pattern of the suit plays an equally important role in snagging the catch of the day. African Penguins feed primarily on schooling fish like anchovies and sardines. To fish, a flock of circling penguins is a whirlpool of white-and-black pandemonium: the school panics and packs together to form a ‘bait ball’. Individual penguins take turns to peel off from the circling group and shoot up through the school to snatch any stray fish.
Fancy Dress comes at a Cost
Most birds preen themselves regularly, replacing their feathers gradually to maintain condition. But because penguins must be well insulated against icy-cold water, they cannot afford any gaps in their plumage. They need a complete coat of feathers. Solution? Replace all feathers at once. Sounds good, but it takes three weeks to moult and get a new set of feathers. That’s 3 weeks staying ashore, 3 weeks without food! The rather odd-looking plump penguin you see waddling about in that old well-worn coat is a pre-moult penguin. At the end of the ordeal, a slim new penguin emerges, resplendent in its new suit.
Turning the Tide
Unfortunately, the penguin must compete with commercial fisheries who also target sardines and anchovies. The greatest threats facing the African Penguin are a shortage of food and oil pollution. Fortunately, organisations like BirdLife, SANCCOB and the Dyer Island Conservation Trust are committed to the conservation of African Penguins. You can help to support these organisations by purchasing a raffle ticket for Angela Key's painting Surf Report. All proceeds raised from ticket sales will support these organisations in advancing our understanding of penguins and finding innovative solutions to the problems they face.