AFRICAN PENGUINS AND THE STONY POINT PENGUIN COLONY

Our trail ends at the Stony Point Penguin Colony. Stony Point is one of only 2 mainland penguin colonies in South Africa. The penguins previously bred exclusively on offshore islands, but in 1982 they decided to set up a colony at Stony Point in Betty’s Bay and subsequently at Boulders Beach in Simonstown.

African penguins are critically endangered.

Their population has been decreasing over a number of years. It is estimated that there are fewer than 10 000 breeding pairs left, and they are at risk of functional extinction by 2035. There are about 1600 breeding pairs at Stony Point. Collection of eggs, removal of guano from offshore islands, and oil pollution have all contributed to the diminution in their numbers, but the most important factor contributing to the critical reduction in their numbers in recent years has been the depletion of fish stocks due to commercial fishing and climate change. Their annual moult takes about 21 days, when they are confined to land and they do not feed. It is important for them to build up adequate fat reserves before they moult. If they are unable to do so, they starve.
Their life expectancy is 10-15 years. They mate for life, and return to the same nesting site. They breed from March to May. They lay 2 eggs. The incubation period is 6 weeks, and the eggs are incubated by both parents. Once hatched, the chicks are kept in creches whilst their parents hunt. The chicks are able to hunt themselves after 12 weeks, and they reach sexual maturity at 2 years.
Whilst they appear comical and awkward on land, they are efficient swimmers and hunters.

They may travel up to 20-60 kilometres to hunt, can swim at speeds of up to 20 kilometres per hour, can dive to depths of 120 metres, and can remain under water for up to 2 minutes.
We are privileged to have these remarkable birds living in our village.
Be sure to enjoy your visit to their colony!