A lost, but friendly penguin waddled along Strand Beach last Tuesday 29 October, running towards people and playing with them, in between bouts of swimming with surfers.
“Mr P” as he has become known by the locals, also captivated the hearts of beachgoers.
“The penguin was chipped and we discovered he had been released back into the ocean in Simon’s Town six months ago on 10 April,” said Lisa Starr of Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement (Hoam). “It was incredible to see this penguin so comfortable around people.”
Despite its friendly nature, Starr warned against interfering with wildlife. “It’s important to remember that these animals are wild creatures and they are capable of feeding themselves,” she cautioned.
“By trying to feed or touch them we can unintentionally harm them. Unfortunately, some people weren’t as considerate and even dragged the penguin towards the ocean. It was a risky situation.”
The penguin’s appearance on Strand beach raised concerns about its safety. With heavy foot traffic and potential hazards, it was clear that the bird needed to be returned to a more suitable environment.
“We had to work quickly to clear the beach and create a safe space for the penguin,” said Starr, who was assisted by Dorrete Dreyer of Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (Sanccob), who rescued the penguin and the next day it was transported to the Sanccob rehabilitation centre. There it will receive the necessary care and rehabilitation before being released back into its natural habitat.
This incident serves as a reminder to respect wildlife and avoid disturbing their natural behaviours. By understanding and appreciating these creatures, we can help ensure their survival for generations to come.
According to Sanccob the African Penguin faces extinction in the wild by 2035 if more is not done to curb the current rate of population decline. The crisis is driven primarily by their lack of access to prey, for which they must compete with the commercial purse-seine fishery which continues to catch sardine and anchovy in the waters surrounding African Penguin breeding colonies. Critically, these colonies are home to an estimated 90% of South Africa’s African Penguins.
Said Starr: “To protect a Critically Endangered species it’s existence has to be paramount. The penguins need to come first before anything else.”
Starr also rescued a juvenile penguin on Sunday 3 November off the Strand dog beach.
