Penguins at Boulders Beach
The Boulders, part of the Cape Peninsula National Park, has become world famous for its thriving colony of African Penguins.
Penguin facts:
- The African Penguin is listed in the Red Data Book as a vulnerable Species
- Of the 1.5 million African Penguin population estimated in 1910, only some 10% remained at the end of the 20th century. The uncontrolled harvesting of Penguin eggs, (as a source of food), and guano scrapping, nearly drove the species into extintiction.
- Because of their donkey-like braying call they were previously named the Jackass penguin. Since several species of South American Penguins produce the same sound, the local birds have been renamed African Penguins, as they are the only example of the species that breed in Africa.
- Their diet consists mainly of squid and shoal fish such as pilchards and anchovy.
- They can swim at an average speed of seven kilometers per hour, and can stay submerged for up to two minutes.
- Their enemies in the ocean include sharks, Cape Fur Seals and on occasion killer whales (Orca). Land based enemies include mongoose, genet, domestic cats and dogs- and kelp Gulls which steal their eggs and new born chicks.
- Their distinctive black and white colouring is a vital form of camouflage, white for underwater predators looking up wards, and black for predators looking down onto the water.
- Although the African Penguin breeds throughout the year, the main breeding season starts in February. They are a monogamous species and the lifelong partners take turns to incubate their eggs and to feed their young.
- Peak moulting time is during December, after which they head out to sea to feed. Since they do not feed during moulting. They return in January to mate and begin nesting from about February to August.
Where to see the penguins:
The Boulders: nestled in a sheltered cove between Simons Town and Cape Point. Boulders has become world famous for it's thriving penguin colony and magnificent wind sheltered safe beaches.
Although set in the midst of a residential area, it is one of the few sites where this vulnerable bird ( Spheniscus demerus) can be observed at close range, wandering freely in a protected natural environment.
From just two breeding pairs in 1982 the penguin colony has grown to about 3000 in recent years. This is partly due to the reduction in commercial pelagic trawling in False Bay. Which has increased the supply of pilchards and anchovy, which form part of the penguins diet.
The most popular recreational spot is Boulders beach, but the penguins arebest viewed from Foxy beach, where newly constructed boardwalks take visitors to within a few meters of the birds.
At Boulders beach penguins can be observed at close range, wandering freely in a protected natural environment.
Peak moulting time is during December, after which they head out to sea to feed.