The possibility of a mega climate event off East London’s coast has triggered an official appeal to the public to take geo-tagged WhatsApp photographs of the extinction-threatened African penguin (Spheniscus demersus).Instead of the normal handful of the birds arriving in summer, there has been an unprecedented influx of a thousand or more. African penguins are regarded as “one of the most important climate indicators”, said Siani Tinley, chief of marine services for Buffalo City Metro.
She said the arrival of the birds was linked to significantly colder currents that have appeared offshore over the past five summers, “bringing changes that are new to our area”.
She also connected the water temperature changes to the red tide that appeared four years ago, unseen in 14 years.
The upwelling of cold water had also caused the stranding of unusual marine animals, such as a large duck-billed ray.
She said these animals, and penguins, were typical followers of cold currents.
While there were many “unanswered questions” over the sudden arrival of the penguins, she said: “We are thinking that this may be the initial stages of a mega event for our area. We are trying to be observant and proactive.”
She said African penguins came ashore at night, but appealed to the public not to touch the birds or enter their space.
Stranded and stressed penguins in need of medical help should be reported to the aquarium, she said.
The aquarium and the Pan-African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (Paaza) have launched a campaign titled “Black & White is the new ‘Gold’. Help us find the ‘gold’.”
They have set up the website Penguinfind.com and East London coastal people are asked to send information on sightings of the African penguins, especially a geo-tagged location or picture, to WhatsApp 082-328-1121 or 083-227-9918.
She gave the Dispatch a pamphlet explaining how because penguins spent time on land and in the sea, the status of their populations often reflected the health of the world’s oceans. The aquarium is home to one of the most “genetically sound” populations of African penguins in the world.
A successful DNA sampling of the group in November last year led to the joint research project with Paaza which involved academics, scientists, rangers, the SAPS waterwing, anglers and skippers.
The Africa penguin has suffered decimation from one million breeding pairs in the 1920s to fewer than 20000 in 2012. — mikel@dispatch.co.za
WhatsApp pictures could save penguins
Instead of the normal handful of the birds arriving in summer, there has been an unprecedented influx of a thousand or more. African penguins are regarded as “one of the most important climate indicators”, said Siani Tinley, chief of marine services for Buffalo City Metro.
She said the arrival of the birds was linked to significantly colder currents that have appeared offshore over the past five summers, “bringing changes that are new to our area”.
She also connected the water temperature changes to the red tide that appeared four years ago, unseen in 14 years.
The upwelling of cold water had also caused the stranding of unusual marine animals, such as a large duck-billed ray.
She said these animals, and penguins, were typical followers of cold currents.
While there were many “unanswered questions” over the sudden arrival of the penguins, she said: “We are thinking that this may be the initial stages of a mega event for our area. We are trying to be observant and proactive.”
She said African penguins came ashore at night, but appealed to the public not to touch the birds or enter their space.
Stranded and stressed penguins in need of medical help should be reported to the aquarium, she said.
The aquarium and the Pan-African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (Paaza) have launched a campaign titled “Black & White is the new ‘Gold’. Help us find the ‘gold’.”
They have set up the website Penguinfind.com and East London coastal people are asked to send information on sightings of the African penguins, especially a geo-tagged location or picture, to WhatsApp 082-328-1121 or 083-227-9918.
She gave the Dispatch a pamphlet explaining how because penguins spent time on land and in the sea, the status of their populations often reflected the health of the world’s oceans. The aquarium is home to one of the most “genetically sound” populations of African penguins in the world.
A successful DNA sampling of the group in November last year led to the joint research project with Paaza which involved academics, scientists, rangers, the SAPS waterwing, anglers and skippers.
The Africa penguin has suffered decimation from one million breeding pairs in the 1920s to fewer than 20000 in 2012. — mikel@dispatch.co.za
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