The African penguin is being caught in an 'ecological trap' that could endanger it. To feed and survive, it goes to the marine ecosystem of Benguela, which is where until now there was a great concentration of food; however, the overfishing that has been carried out for decades as well as climate change have reduced the amount of fish.
According to a study published in the journal Current Biology, these birds are starting to have a lot of trouble getting by.
A team of researchers from the Universities of Outer, UK, and Cape Town, South Africa, in collaboration with scientific representatives from the Namibian and South African governments, followed 54 young African penguins from eight colonies scattered across a strip that goes from Luanda (Angola) to the east of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa).
Climate change and the impact of humans on the marine ecosystem are preventing many of these young birds from reaching adulthood: while overfishing has reduced the population of sardines, the salinity of the waters has modified the routes of sardines and anchovies, so the researchers' models suggest reproductive rates are 50% lower than they would be if they could feed themselves as their past generations did.
Researcher Richard Sherley measures a young African penguin.
Image – Timothee Cook
The African penguin is an animal that is in danger of extinction.. To protect it, the researchers propose creating zones where they cannot get trapped, building fenced spaces with fisheries so that penguins can feed, or increasing the number of sardines.
For its part, the South African government plans to implement fishing limits, which is likely to benefit this bird.
You can read the full study here (In English).