African penguin numbers at the Boulders colony in Table Mountain National Park have shown encouraging growth, according to the latest 2026 annual African penguin census conducted in June.

This year’s survey recorded 790 breeding pairs of African penguins, an increase of 92 pairs from the 698 breeding pairs counted last year.

Endangered species

The Boulders Penguin Colony located in Simon’s Town is home to a thriving, protected group of endangered African penguins.

A collaborative team comprising South African National Parks (SANParks) along with partners from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the City of Cape Town, Cumic Rangers, the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (Sanccob), and dedicated volunteers, conducted the annual survey of the African penguin colony, which takes place in June each year.

Sanccob supports 10 Penguin and Seabird Rangers at five vital seabird colonies (Simon’s Town, Robben Island, Stony Point, Dassen Island and Bird Island in Algoa Bay).

Conservation efforts

These rangers play a critical role in seabird conservation by identifying and rescuing injured, oiled or abandoned seabirds and eggs.

Based on standard population estimates, the Boulders colony currently supports approximately 2 528 individual penguins, accounting for roughly 8% to 9% of South Africa’s total African penguin population, according to SANParks spokesperson JP Louw.

The increase comes at a critical time when fewer than 10 000 breeding pairs remain in the wild globally, Louw added.

This highlights the colony’s importance as a key breeding site for the conservation of this critically endangered species.

“Boulders remains one of the most significant African penguin colonies in South Africa and has demonstrated notable resilience compared to many other colonies that continue to decline. While a single year’s increase does not indicate full population recovery, the results provide a welcome sign of stability,” he said.

Habitat changes

The African penguins’ long-term population declines are linked to reduced availability of their key prey species, such as sardines and anchovies, as well as environmental variability, habitat changes, predation, disease, and other human-related pressures.

“SANParks continues to work closely with the City of Cape Town, Sanccob, Nature Connect, researchers, volunteers, and other stakeholders on initiatives that include habitat management, rehabilitation of sick and injured birds, disease monitoring, ongoing scientific research, and environmental education,” Louw added.

Long-term, standardised monitoring remains essential in understanding how penguin colonies respond to environmental changes and conservation interventions.

“While this year’s increase is encouraging, sustained and coordinated conservation action remains critical for the future of African penguins,” Louw said.

People’s Post reached out to the City for further comment but they could not respond before going to print.

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