The Two Oceans Aquarium invites everyone to join the Penguin Waddle on 14 October 2023 to support the African penguin survival campaign, #NotOnOurWatch (#NOOW).
Picture: Two Oceans Aquarium
Head of Strategic Projects at the Two Oceans Aquarium, Dr Judy Mann, said, ‘Our goal is to create a movement and raise awareness about the need for urgent action to reverse the decline of the African penguin population in the wild. Through this campaign, we will call for support to ensure that wise decisions concerning the future of the African penguin are made by the relevant authorities. We will create a movement to build pride in African penguins as a part of South Africa’s unique biodiversity, and we will assist penguin colony managers by ensuring that visitors to the colonies behave in ways that support penguin wellbeing.’
This global initiative has attracted the attention of the United Nations, with an official endorsement by their Ocean Decade network.
Waddles will occur in South Africa, the USA, Canada, France, Croatia, and Mozambique. The Two Oceans Aquarium will lead a waddle in Cape Town through the V&A Waterfront.
Picture: Two Oceans Aquarium
Join a Waddle!
Show your support by wearing black and white clothing and carrying signs that reflect your love for African penguins.
Event details: PLEASE RSVP HERE
When: Saturday 14 October 2023 at 09:30
Where: Meet in front of the Two Oceans Aquarium (±3km route will end at the same place)
Come prepared: Wear comfortable walking shoes. Remember to bring water (in reusable water bottles) and some snacks for fuel in reusable bags – please, no plastic.
Get creative: Craft signs to create awareness or use the various infographics found on the campaign website.
Prizes: Plenty of spot prizes for attendees (as well as the “best-dressed” waddler)
Picture: Steve Benjamin
Not in Cape Town? Don’t worry, there are various BIG WADDLES TAKING PLACE WORLDWIDE on 14 OCTOBER 2023:
African penguin on the brink of extinction
The aim of the Waddle is to raise awareness around the plight of African penguins and their rapid decline in numbers. African penguins are the only penguin species found on the African continent. In the last century, their numbers have declined dramatically, and current estimates suggest a mere 10,000 breeding pairs are in the wild today. Scientists estimate that if their numbers continue to decline at the current rate, these charismatic and endemic birds will be functionally extinct in the wild within about 12 years.
One of the biggest threats facing these birds is food availability due to overfishing, changes in the marine ecosystem due to climate change, and biodiversity loss. Adult penguins have to swim further away from their nesting grounds to find food, which compromises the chicks on the nests and the adult birds themselves.
If you would like to join the Waddle or come along to report on the event, please contact Heather Wares, Communications Manager at the Two Oceans Aquarium.
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