Once numbering in the millions, the South African population of African Penguin Spheniscus demersus has declined to fewer than 20,000 pairs. It is at risk from a number of threats including predation by seals, oil spills and food shortages. The latter is most pressing: penguins eat mainly sardines and anchovies, which have shifted their distribution from the west to the south coast, further from penguin breeding colonies. The fish are also the target of the commercial purse-seine fishing industry.

With support from a Species Champion (Charl van der Merwe Trust), BirdLife South Africa is tackling these issues. Research is underway to investigate the effect of preventing fishing in waters around penguin breeding colonies on penguin foraging and breeding success. Preliminary results show that this may benefit penguins as they do not have to swim as far to find food. Satellite transmitters are being used to track penguins outside the breeding season, to see where they go to fatten up before and after moulting. The results will help to identify the threats faced by the species during these periods.