26 June 2003

The City of Cape Town is to install what is probably the world's first "penguin crossing" in Simonstown’s Main Road to caution motorists to slow down for these feathered pedestrians in an attempt to reduce penguin fatalities in the area.

The colony of African penguins lives in a natural protected area at Boulders Beach, which forms part of the Cape Peninsula National Park.

Despite various attempts by the park management to contain the birds, some continue to venture across the main road in search of suitable nesting areas during the annual breeding season.

According to park ranger Justin Buchmann, speeding motorists have killed 19 penguins during the past four months.

"Main Road is a busy thoroughfare in the False Bay area, and although the speed limit on the stretch of road near Boulders is 60km an hour, the penguins are difficult to spot, especially at night when they have their backs to oncoming traffic," said Buchmann.

"We have put up artificial nests to attract the penguins to breed inside the park, and we are considering introducing 'penguin catchers' to return the birds which have wandered beyond the boundaries," he said.

"This is one of the more unusual aspects of managing South Africa's only national park that is located in the middle of a city, and we are fortunate to enjoy a good working relationship with the City of Cape Town."

According to the park's assistant section manager, Monique Ruthenberg, there are currently about 19 nests above the road. "But to move the birds now will only disturb the nesting chicks and eggs. We are presently consulting with relevant parties about the most appropriate intervention."

The latest annual penguin census estimates the total population at 3 600 birds - from just two breeding pairs in 1982. "Compared to last year's figures, the population has remained stable," Ruthenberg said.

Source: BuaNews

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	African penguins undergoing rehabilitation at Sanccob

	South Africa - for the birders!

	Cape Peninsula National Park  Sanccob

Adopt a Penguin The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (Sanccob), a non-profit organisation based in Cape Town, cares for indigenous injured, ill and oiled seabirds. Sanccob has successfully treated more than 80 000 seabirds, including African penguins, Cape gannets, cormorants, gulls, petrels and albatrosses. Sanccob is funded by private and corporate donations and sponsorships, and staffed largely by volunteers. You can help in a number of ways - one of which is to Adopt a Penguin. For your R500 donation, you'll get a photo of your penguin, a certificate of adoption, an official letter outlining you penguin's history at Sanccob - you can even name your penguin - and the knowledge that you're helping to save a species from extinction.

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