Petition

Save African Penguins from Extinction

24,747 signatures. Let’s get to 30K

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
Rachael T

I am signing because I do care for creatures to be protected from amy danger that will cause to be extinct and it's time that we take action and help…

3 days ago
Sandy M

I love penguins!

4 days ago
Marama-Kate I

Morals

5 days ago
Carol Bigel R

i care. im signing for my children and grandchildren; and your children.

5 days ago
Lucy R

these creatures need protection

5 days ago
Krystal G

I dont want the penguins to be harmed and extinct.

6 days ago
Jade W

ALL LIFE MATTERS

1 week ago
Michelle J

animals have a right to survival too

1 week ago
Magin R

All animals deserve our protection

1 week ago
Ann S

All creatures play a part in our eco systems and all eco systems are essential for the survival of the planet

1 week ago
Jiří K

I want to prevent our future.

1 week ago
Pascale C

STOP à ces pêches dévastatrices, commerciales. Elles s'enrichissent en prônant d'alimenter le monde MAIS détruisent les conditions du maintien de la…

1 week ago
Anni K

i care about all life on this planet. No compromise. All life matters!

1 week ago
Rosemary K

I am signing this petition to protect the rights all our Relations. Extinction is Forever!

1 week ago
surinder c

no species should become extinct because if human activity

1 week ago
Dany J

C'est tellement évident...

1 week ago
Vincent C

these lovely creatures are helpless against the selfish destruction of their natural habitat by mankind and this habitat should be protected in order…

1 week ago
Terry-Anne S

i have seen first hand the decline of the habitat of these penguins. in my teenage years i spent many weekends and holidays rescuing these charismatic…

1 week ago
Jessica D

I care about Penguins.

1 week ago
David B

this is a shared world that Hans have colonized brutally

2 weeks ago
Raphael A

Please Do it!

2 weeks ago
Linda P

we are supposed to be guardians of this planet not destroyers

2 weeks ago
Carolina A

They are beautiful animals and they should live longer. The African Penguins should be protected and not worry about begin killed by any other animals…

2 weeks ago
Erica K

the world will not be a better place without penguins besides they were here first.

2 weeks ago
K J

we need to save the animals on our planet earth.

2 weeks ago
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