Saving Penguins
The African Penguin Nest Project
African penguins are at serious risk of extinction
Their numbers have plummeted over the past century due to the destruction of nesting sites, egg poaching, oil spills, global climate change, and competition for food resources with commercial fishing. There is hope to save this iconic species, through the African Penguin Nest Project.
Conservation agencies, accredited zoological parks and individuals around the world are working together to save the African penguin from extinction. This unique group of scientists and experts has developed a scientifically researched artificial nest to provide safe places for these seabirds to raise chicks.
Specific needs
This project is unique because it developed nests to meet the specific needs of African penguins. Guano nests provided a very precise environment, and matching that was a challenge. The nests were painstakingly designed and tested to ensure they meet the penguins' every need for the successful incubation of eggs and rearing of chicks.
While African penguins may not live in your back yard, you can make choices to save penguins no matter where you live. Sponsoring a nest is a start, but this is just one of the ways you can help save these birds. Each choice we make can lead to a healthier future for penguins.
Too Hot to Handle
During recent work in the penguin colonies a testing procedure used was thermal imaging. Penguins nesting in exposed surface nests were measured with temperatures on their backs exceeding 145 degrees, while those in nests just a couple of feet away were measured at about 80 degrees. That is an absolutely massive difference for the birds.
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Critically Endangered
The African Penguin has been reclassified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
This alarming development places the beloved bird just one step away from extinction in the wild, making it the first of the world's 18 penguin species to reach this critical status. Without definitive action we could be facing the loss of wild African penguins within the next decade.
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Penguin Chicks
With nearly two thousand nests already in seven of the penguin colonies we anxiously await each breeding season to see the results of all the work. The nests are continuously monitored in all of the colonies and are seeing very high usage rates and a significant number of penguin chicks. More safe nesting locations means more penguin chicks.
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Do Something.
Help us save the last 1% of African penguins from extinction.
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Dallas Zoo Management Inc.
EIN: 270777846
Address: 650 S R L THORNTON FWY
City: DALLAS
State: TX
Country: US
Postal Code: 75203-3013