Petition

Save African Penguins from Extinction

12,534 signatures. Let’s get to 15K

What You Need to Know

The African Penguin is at risk of going extinct in the wild within the next 10 years. Recent studies show that current conservation measures are not enough to ensure their future. With an estimated population of less than 10,000 breeding pairs these endangered birds — among the smallest of all penguin species — are struggling to survive due to a shortage of their primary food sources. Sardines and anchovy stocks are dwindling as a result of climate change and commercial purse-seine fishing. Food deprivation and starvation is contributing to a dramatic decline in African Penguin numbers. 

The current commercial fishery no-take zones in South Africa surround six African Penguin colonies that represent 76% of the global population. These zones fail to sufficiently protect important foraging areas for the penguins, forcing them to compete with commercial purse seine fisheries for food. Simply put, African Penguins need to eat to survive. If nothing changes, African Penguins could disappear from the wild by 2035. 

We must act now to save the African Penguin before it’s too late.

Here’s why the survival of this species is crucial:

  • To protect our ocean: African Penguins are key indicators of healthy marine ecosystems. As specialised predators, they play a pivotal role in the marine food web, and their disappearance signals fish stocks falling below critical thresholds required to sustain other marine predators such as whales, dolphins, seals and linefish.

  • To support livelihoods and public education: African Penguins are a major draw for tourists, providing opportunities for people to learn about the species and the marine environment. Protecting them not only supports the South African ecotourism industry and livelihoods of local communities, but also helps raise awareness of the importance of conservation.

  • For global ocean advocacy: Defending African Penguins goes beyond saving a single species — it’s about taking a stand for ecologically sustainable fishing practices and ocean conservation worldwide. By protecting African Penguins, we’re also protecting our planet.

We call on the South African government to:

  • Establish effective no-take zones around the six key African Penguin colonies, where commercial purse-seine fishing for anchovy and sardine occurs, to help ensure that there is enough prey to sustain the species.

  • Adequately enforce existing marine pollution regulations and close legal loopholes that currently enable pollution, including noise pollution, to interfere with penguin breeding.

A SANCCOB and Blue Marine Foundation film | Voiceover: Zandi Ndhlovu | Editing: Matt Jarvis

Join us in urging the South African government to take the necessary steps to help save one of the world’s most threatened penguin species and preserve the health of our ocean for future generations. Your support could be the key to making real, lasting change.

Supporters
Bre F

Animals are more important then humans and they're better for the planet.

11 hours ago
Bonnie Jean K

Stop Killing Gods Creations

11 hours ago
Sheina O

i love wild life an they dont deserve this

1 day ago
Jordan L

animals deserve better

1 day ago
Elena I

all animals should be protected

1 day ago
Margaret S

God put them here. NOT stupid arrogant humans!

2 days ago
Nancy W

i love animals

3 days ago
Nicole M

i am signing because animals have just as much right to live here as humans

3 days ago
Robert A

they are defenseless and voiceless

3 days ago
Himne D

Penguins deserve to be protected from extinction. It is our duty to ensure their survival in the wild.

3 days ago
Crystal T

anikals shoukd be put first. they are pure and do no harm to the world. Unlike humans polluters

4 days ago
Patricia E

These our my favorite animals. We need to leave them alone. And stop destroying everything we touch.

4 days ago
Liz J

Penguins have been an important species to me for many years.

1 week ago
Debora S

we need to help

1 week ago
Sakthi D

I want to save the Earth and wildlife is must for it. Earth needs animals more than humans.

1 week ago
Emma D

i love animals

1 week ago
Aoyu Z

Penguins are a precious species and humans have done enough to harm the planet.

1 week ago
Ana sofia G

quiero salvar los pingüinos

1 week ago
Patricia K

i love all wildlife and want to preserve them for all generations.

1 week ago
Edgar A

i want my children to have a beautiful world to love and protect

1 week ago
Katherine B

all animals deserve life

1 week ago
Francis B

It's utterly depressing that humankind is still allowing species to go instinct.

1 week ago
Aleksandra L

I am very passionate about wildlife conservation.

1 week ago
Pablo S

i like them

2 weeks ago
Matthew C

I want to play my part in saving wildlife, one species at a time!

2 weeks ago
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