Fact Sheet: African Penguin Spheniscus demersus Description: Size: 24-28 in (52-71 cm) Weight: 5-9 lbs Coloration: o Black feathers on their back and white feathers with black markings on their chest and belly o Feet are set far back on their body and are mottled black and pink in color o Juveniles are plain gray-black with a white belly In the Wild Habitat and Range: Found only along the rocky coastline of southwest Africa breed at 25 islands and four mainland sites in Namibia and South Africa One of several penguin species that live in warmer climates o Subtropical climate where there is a cold water upwelling o Range is restricted to a relatively small area where water temperature does not fluctuate greatly o All penguin species live south of the equator Diet: Carnivorous o Feed on small crustaceans, squid and small fish such as sardines and anchovies o Will eat about one pound of fish in a day They absorb water and nutrients from their diet but have also adapted to drink salt water Adaptations: Excellent swimmers o Can swim up to 12 miles (20 km) per hour o Feet are set far back on their bodies, acting like rudders to help steer as they swim o Torpedo shaped body and rigid wings that serve as flippers and propel penguins through the water o Can stay underwater for as long as 5 minutes when diving to catch fish o Penguins have solid bones, making them heavier than other birds, which helps them dive deeper than many other bird species in pursuit of fish Counter-shading for camouflage while swimming o Their black back blends in with the ocean floor for predators/prey that are swimming above them and their white bellies blends in with the bright light of the sun for predators/prey swimming below them and looking up Avoid overheating during the warmer months o Can dissipate heat through flippers, feet and open beak will stand so that their shadow falls over their feet to cool the blood running through their feet which is
then circulated through their entire body and cools them off, like a personal air-conditioner o Swimming in cool-cold water o Nesting in burrows or under rocks Thick, waterproof, insulating mat of feathers traps air close to their body and conserves heat during the colder months and when swimming in the cold water Three types of calls used o Yell/contact call used to defend territory from another colony member o Bray/display call used to attract mates o Haw call used to communicate between partners Lifespan: Median life expectancy of about 17 years for males and 15 years for females in the wild May live up to about 30 years in captivity, but an age of 25 is more common. Ecosystem relationships: Predators: Sharks, Cape fur seals and killer whales Avian predators such as kelp gulls and sacred ibises prey on eggs and chicks Mainland colonies are also preyed on by leopards, mongoose, genet, and domestic and feral cats and dogs African penguins are social birds that live in colonies called rookeries live and hunt together in groups ranging in size from 50 to thousands of individuals. Reproduction: Form monogamous pairs, meaning they often have one mate for life o Courtship rituals begin with visual and auditory display by the male o Mutual bond is ensured by a harsh vocal call with the head and neck extended upwards o Finally one or both penguins will bow (duck their head with their bill pointing towards the nest site or the other penguin s feet) Breeding takes place throughout the year Females construct a nest out of guano on the rocky shore and lay 2 eggs per clutch Both males and females take turns incubating the eggs for about a month Both males and females are involved in parental care of chicks once they hatch Chicks form crèches (groups of chicks) that are guarded by adults o Cooperative care allows individual sets of parents to go out to sea to feed o Both parents responsible for feeding the chicks at this time Chicks fledge at 60-130 days, but parents may continue to feed the young after fledging. They have gray juvenile markings until they molt again in their second year and get their distinctive black and white plumage. Activity: Mostly diurnal They spend the night gathered on the shore and feed in the water during the day Other fun facts :
Historically a significant source of guano o Previously used as fertilizer which was sold around the world, overharvesting contributed to the decline of African penguin populations. Often referred to as jackass penguins due to their distinctive braying call African penguins undergo an annual molt o Feathers are important for waterproofing and camouflage and are replaced once a year o All birds molt, losing their old feathers and growing new ones o African penguins undergo a catastrophic molt, meaning that they lose all of their feathers at once Before penguins molt, they gorge and put on a significant amount of weight During molt, they cannot swim to catch fish, so must fast during the process Conservation Status and Threats: Listed on the IUCN Red List as Endangered Undergoing a rapid population decline as a result of: o Over-fishing by some commercial fisheries results in food loss o High mortality from oil spills o Disturbance by humans encroachment on beaches that penguins use for nesting o Egg-collecting Historic decline due to habitat degradation caused by guano collection for fertilizer o Degrades nest sites, leading to penguins nesting on open ground, which subjects them to heat stress and predation At the Zoo The Zoo currently houses a colony of over 50 African penguins. The opening of Penguin Coast will allow us to increase this number up to 100 penguins over time. Penguin Coast has a number of features that provide for the highest quality penguin care as well as a fantastic visitor experience. Please refer to the African Penguin Exhibit Fact sheet for details. The Zoo currently houses three penguin ambassadors that appear in on-site and off-site education programs. All three of them hatched here at The Zoo. Tails hatched in zoo in 2004, and weighs approximately 6 lbs (2.5 kg). Winnie hatched in 2008 and weighs 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg). Lilly hatched in 2014. What We Can Do Help with rehabilitation or donate to the clean-up of oil spills that effect penguin colonies SANCCOB (The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) is a non-profit organization that protects and rehabilitates seabirds, including African penguins, affected by oil pollution
Support sustainable fisheries to help limit over-fishing, a factor in declining penguin populations The Monterey Bay Aquarium s Seafood Watch program raises awareness and helps consumers and businesses make choices for healthy oceans; their recommendations indicate which seafood items are "Best Choices," "Good Alternatives" and which ones to "Avoid" We can all help slow climate change, a factor in declining fish, and therefore penguin, populations o Reduce, reuse, recycle Reuse shopping bags Compost organic food for use in the garden o Cut down on electricity and gas use to limit carbon dioxide emissions Try to use public transport, carpool, bike or walk Buy energy efficient light bulbs and turn off lights when leaving a room Turn off appliances when not in use Bundle up when it is cold instead of turning up the heat References: http://www.marylandzoo.org/animals-conservation/birds/african-penguin/ http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/efc/efc_splash/splash_animals_penguin.aspx http://www.denverzoo.org/downloads/dzoo_bf_penguin.pdf http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/106003861/0 http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/spheniscus_dem ersus.html http://www.sanccob.co.za/ - The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx - The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program
African Penguin Exhibit Fact Sheet Penguin Colony Number of birds Capacity to increase the colony from 57 to 100 penguins Penguin ambassadors Capacity to increase from three birds to as many as eight Physical penguin exhibit and support building Total exhibit-area square footage 64,000 square feet, approximately 1.5 acres. This includes landscaping, pathways, buildings, etc. Exhibit Total square footage More than 10,500 square feet, including more dynamic rock work and natural substrates Penguin Pool 175,000 gallons with maximum depth of 8 6 There will be wave action pumps giving a slight current for penguins to swim with or against, as well as a large dump bucket water feature which will fill up and spill creating huge splash near underwater viewing area Life Support System Will filter and recycle the water in the penguin pool, saving 7 million gallons of water per year. Conservation Center The new exhibit building for penguin housing, breeding, and care will be located on the island in the center of the exhibit and will serve as the center of animal operations for the exhibit. Interpretive Center A two-level facility will include a multi-purpose room for education programs and animal demonstrations, restrooms, indoor space for special events, and underwater viewing for visitors. Embassy Building for Traveling Collection Building for the housing and care of penguins used in education outreach programs, including a separate yard and pool, as the traveling collection cannot intermingle with the breeding population. Full Exhibit (area and building) 420 square feet. Pool 70 square feet, 1,800 gallons, additional indoor pool.
Visitor Viewing Areas Inside Interpretive Center Indoor underwater viewing through glass Multiple outdoor viewing areas where demonstrations and Keeper Chats will take place o Demonstration wharf An outdoor wharf opposite the Conservation Center will provide a space where Keeper Chats will be held and from which live demonstrations can be viewed. o Tidal Flat Penguin Panorama An up close and personal outdoor viewing area where penguins can gather on land next to the glass viewing wall and where Keeper Chats and live demonstrations will be held. o Wharf Edge viewing area A rustic outdoor viewing wharf which extends out into the main pool directly across from the Conservation Center will provide visitors with front row access to the exhibit. o Tidal Pool viewing area A special outdoor viewing area overlooking the large self-contained tidal pool providing wave action. Design and building Designed by CLRdesign, inc. a Philadelphia-based architecture, planning, landscape architecture, and exhibit design firm. Being built by Whiting Turner, a construction management and general contracting company based in Baltimore, MD. Budgeted cost of the penguin exhibit is $10.6 million, funding provided by the State, as well as private donations and grants. Estimated exhibit completion is late 2014 early 2015.