Conservationists are building fibreglass igloos for a colony of endangered African penguins, the Jackass penguins. Their effort is to replicate natural nesting grounds of the penguins on Dyer Island, near Cape Town, and bring the penguin population back to a sustainable level.
The population of these endangered penguins is now at 5,000 from 25,000 in the 1970s. They rely on the nutrient-rich guano (bird faeces) to nest their eggs, to hide from predators and for a rare spot of shade on an island almost devoid of trees and bushes. But centuries of over-harvesting of guano by commercial enterprises to sell it as fertiliser has damaged their natural nesting grounds, thereby affecting the bird population. Conservationists say, the penguins are poking around the already built igloos and some have even helped themselves to a home, they say. The project, launched by conservationist groups, the Cape Nature and the local boat-operator Dyer Island Cruises, aims to construct up to 2,000 fibreglass igloos on the island and persuade more penguins to recreate.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.