Penguin Awareness Day: Shining a Light on the African Penguin’s Plight
Penguin Awareness Day serves as a global reminder of the beauty, charm, and vulnerability of these remarkable birds. Observed on January 20th, this special day is dedicated to raising awareness about penguin conservation and celebrating the 18 unique species of penguin.
The Cincinnati Zoo is helping to save penguins through the support of Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB). SANCCOB has treated more than 90,000 oiled, ill, injured or abandoned endangered African penguins and other threatened seabirds since being established in 1968.
The Plight of the African Penguin
Among them, the African penguin stands out — not just for its distinctive braying call, but also for its conservation status. Once thriving along the coasts of southern Africa, African penguins are now critically endangered. According to a recent assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in July of 2024, only about 1,200 penguin pairs are estimated to survive in Namibia, and 8,750 pairs in South Africa. By 2035, African Penguins could be extinct in the wild. In the last century, African penguins have lost 97% of their population.
The Cincinnati Zoo, SANCCOB, and others will continue to fight for the future of this iconic species; we must remain optimistic that their trajectory can be reversed.

Native to the rocky shores and islands of South Africa and Namibia, African penguins are the only penguin species that breed on the African continent.
What’s Causing the Decline?
- Overfishing: More recently, the penguins have seen their food supplies, especially sardines and anchovies, decline due to both competition with commercial fisheries and climate warming. With less prey available, these penguins must travel further to find food, expending valuable energy and jeopardizing chick survival.
- Oil Spills and Pollution: Coastal oil spills have had catastrophic effects on African penguin colonies
- Habitat Destruction: Historical guano scraping (harvesting penguin excrement for fertilizer) destroyed natural nesting sites. African penguins would burrow and lay their eggs in thick layers of guano, or bird poop, that had built up over centuries, to escape from heat and predators. However, humans removed the guano to export as fertilizer, leaving the birds to nest in the open. Additionally, coastal development continues to encroach on their habitats.
- Climate Change: Rising ocean temperatures and shifting currents are altering fish distributions, further straining food availability.

SANCCOB, together with BirdLife South Africa (BLSA), have filed a lawsuit against South Africa’s environment ministry for failing to protect the African penguin with meaningful fishing closures around the bird’s breeding colonies. Join us in urging the South African government to take the necessary steps to help save one of the world’s most threatened penguin species and preserve the health of our ocean for future generations. Your support could be the key to making real, lasting change.

Why Should We Care?
Penguins are more than just adorable ambassadors of the animal kingdom. They play a vital role in marine ecosystems as both predators and prey, helping to maintain ecological balance. African penguins are also a significant draw for eco-tourism, providing economic benefits to local communities. Their decline is not just a loss of biodiversity but a signal of broader environmental issues impacting our oceans.

How Can You Help?
Penguin Awareness Day is an opportunity to take meaningful steps toward conservation. Here are a few ways you can make a difference:
- Behind the Scenes Tour: 50% of the funds from Cincinnati Zoo’s behind the scenes tours goes towards conservation programs. Book an African penguin feeding and support SANCCOB!
- Choose Sustainable Seafood: Opt for seafood certified by organizations like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to reduce pressure on fish stocks.
- Reduce Plastic Use: Minimize single-use plastics to prevent marine pollution that can entangle or be ingested by wildlife.
- Advocate for Policy Changes: Encourage governments and corporations to prioritize marine conservation and address climate change. Sign SANCCOB’s petition.
- Spread Awareness: Use your voice and platforms to educate others about the plight of African penguins. Sharing their story can inspire collective action. Wear black and white on Penguin Awareness Day to spread awareness!

Celebrating Penguins While Protecting Them
While Penguin Awareness Day is a time to celebrate these endearing birds, it’s also a reminder of the challenges they face. By understanding their plight and taking action, we can help ensure that future generations will continue to marvel at the sight of African penguins waddling along the shores.
This January 20th, let’s honor the African penguin by committing to its survival.


Penguins, penguins, penguins! Learn more about the penguins that call the Cincinnati Zoo home from their caregiver Cody in this Cincinnati Zoo Tales podcast episode!
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