Where to see African Penguin
The parks with the most verified sightings, out of 18 safari areas where it has been recorded.
- 1Table Mountain National ParkCommonLodges
Western Cape & Garden Route, South Africa · Common
- 2Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected AreaCommonLodges
Western Cape & Garden Route, South Africa · Common
- 3Koggelfontein workshopsCommonLodges
Western Cape & Garden Route, South Africa · Common
- 4Kogelberg Nature ReserveCommonLodges
Western Cape & Garden Route, South Africa · Common
- 5Tygerberg Nature ReserveCommonLodges
Western Cape & Garden Route, South Africa · Common
Common: 500+ verified sightings. Occasional: 50 to 499. Rare: under 50.
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African Penguin facts
Quick facts
Facts sourced from Wikidata (CC0).
Best months to spot
Most sightings recorded in Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec. Data from GBIF - a global database of verified wildlife observations by researchers and citizen scientists.
Conservation status
Faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
African penguins face significant threats from overfishing of their prey, oil spills, and habitat loss. Conservation efforts include breeding programs and protecting nesting sites, with some success in captive breeding and reintroduction. Responsible tourism, by supporting well-managed reserves and ethical wildlife viewing, helps fund vital conservation work and raises awareness for this critically endangered species.
Conservation hubAbout the african penguin
The African penguin, also known as Cape penguin or South African penguin, is a species of penguin confined to southern African waters. It is the only penguin found in the Old World. Like all penguins, it is flightless, with a streamlined body and wings stiffened and flattened into flippers for a marine habitat. Adults weigh an average of 2.2–3.5 kg (4.9–7.7 lb) and are 60–70 cm (24–28 in) tall. The species has distinctive pink patches of skin above the eyes and a black facial mask. The body's upper parts are black and sharply delineated from the white underparts, which are spotted and marked with a black band.
Adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.