On the verge of extinction. The population of African penguins decreases annually.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, African penguins are on the verge of extinction in their natural environment.

According to estimates by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are currently fewer than 10,000 pairs of African penguins in the world that are capable of breeding, which is 75% less than 30 years ago.

The main reasons for the decline in penguin populations are climate change and commercial fishing, which make it difficult for them to find food.

South Africa is home to 76% of the world's African penguin population. In 2024, “no-fishing zones” were established around them, but this did not protect the main hunting grounds for food of the penguins, which puts the species at risk of extinction.

African penguins are small animals, about 60-70 cm in height and weighing 2-4 kg. They have black and white spots on their bodies, creating a unique pattern for each bird, as well as a black stripe on their chest. They are adapted to a warmer climate than most other penguins that live in cold regions.

Due to the rapid decline in the number of African penguins, the Red List highlights this species as “endangered”.

It is also noted that the number of hedgehogs has significantly decreased due to collisions with vehicles and lack of garden maintenance. The use of pesticides also negatively affects them, as these chemicals destroy insects, which hedgehogs feed on, and can poison the animals.

These animals are listed as “near threatened” in the IUCN Red List because their numbers have decreased by a third over the past decade.

It is worth mentioning that subantarctic penguins are becoming more common on Galindez Island. These birds build nests, lay eggs, and raise chicks from spring to autumn.