I could live in South Africa. They have penguins. I’d always wanted to see them in the wild. Don’t get me wrong, I adore the rockhoppers and South African penguins that reside in the New England Aquarium, which is one of the organizations we support annually specifically because I love penguins so much. But seeing them in the wild is truly an experience.

I didn’t get to see one in Galapagos, so this was my chance. And I smiled from ear to ear the entire time. But unfortunately they are endangered, and the odds are they will be extinct in 15 years.

In 1956 when the first full census was conducted on the African Penguin, there were approximately 150,000 breeding pairs counted. In 2009 there were only 26,000 breeding pairs left in the world. These numbers indicate a loss of more than 80% of breeding pairs in just over 50 years.

The Boulders Penguin Colony was established in 1983 and numbers increased from surrounding island colonies to bring breeding numbers to 3,900 birds in 2005. Since then there has been a decrease. The 2011 figures sit at around 2,100 birds. The decline at Boulders and the global decline is the suspected result of habitat destruction, the effects of oil spills and other marine pollution, the impacts of global warming on fish stocks and fish movement, overfishing, irresponsible tourism activities, and domestic pets and other animals. The colony’s boardwalk and gated entrance isn’t to keep the penguins in, but to keep people out. The folks from SANCCOB, an organization that saves seabirds, were on the grounds that day taking a census, and shaking their heads sadly at the low numbers. Go to their website for more information or to donate to help them continue their good work.

While the situation breaks my heart it could not steal the joy I felt seeing them up close and personal. Chicks in a nursery being watched over by an adult while the parents fished for food. Penguins in the waves. Penguins looking goofy. It was all good.

My friend and fellow penguin lover Charles said I needed to bring a couple home. I told him our guide said they were very messy, pooping all over everything. Charles said, “Then just bring one.”

Here are a few videos and there are more pictures in the slide show.

The animal we saw in the brush near the boardwalk at Boulders was a dassie, or a rock hyrax, a small furry mammal that is actually the closest living relative of the elephant. Hmmm.

From Boulders in Simon Town we traveled further south to the Cape of Good Hope and the Cape Point Lighthouse. Contrary to popular belief the southernmost point in South Africa is Cape Agulhas. It is located about 150 kilometers (90 miles) east-southeast of the Cape of Good Hope. But since we were traveling the peninsula just south of Cape Town we were happy to get a look at the cape that gets all the press. The scenery, rocks, beaches, and waves were mesmerizing.

Even so, it still didn’t beat the penguins.

Deborah

 

Next up – Red Hill Library and Community Centre