African penguins are now listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with scientists warning that they could disappear from the wild by 2035. In response, CapeNature and SANCCOB are joining forces to raise awareness and drive conservation action at the annual Penguin Palooza event at Stony Point Nature Reserve.
The free public event will take place on November 8 from 10h00, highlighting the crisis facing one of South Africa’s most iconic seabirds.
Visitors can explore an outdoor market showcasing local food, crafts and community stalls alongside educational exhibits and children’s activities. The day’s highlight will be the release of rehabilitated penguins back into the wild, offering the public a chance to witness conservation in action.
Fewer than 8 750 breeding pairs of African penguins remain in South Africa with the population declining by approximately 8% each year. At Stony Point, the decline has been particularly severe: numbers dropped from 1 200 individuals in 2023 to 673 in 2024 – just 27% of the colony’s size a decade ago.
“If we do not act now, we may face a future without African penguins in the wild. The Penguin Palooza showcases to present and future generations the importance of penguins to the environment and local communities,” said Ashley Naidoo, CEO of CapeNature.
