Community‑rooted, empathy‑driven action for African penguins on the brink #NotBy2035
| Scientific name: Spheniscus demersus Class: Aves Order: Sphenisciformes Family: Spheniscidae We are “banded” penguins, because of the black band over our chest our closest cousins are the Humboldt and Magellanic and Galapagos penguins. The number and arrangement of the black spots on our white chest and belly are unique to each African penguin, much like a human fingerprint. Scientists use … Read more |
| Elvis is a grumpy legend with a comeback story. When he first arrived, Elvis was in rough shape; thin, frail, and nursing a deep, painful wound on his left shoulder from a seal bite. The injury left him unable to swim or feed himself. It seemed like his independence might be gone for good. But … Read more |
| Biltong is a survivor with style. As a chick, she endured a traumatic head injury and a broken jaw. Her ordeal that would have sidelined most. But Biltong fought through it, and though her beak healed with a more pronounced top hook, it only adds to her unique look. That curved beak is now her … Read more |
| Empathy is a force to be reckoned with, not a soft-hearted liability. It’s what allows us to extend our concern beyond immediate self-interest, beyond borders, beyond species. And that’s exactly why caring about African penguins, even if they don’t waddle through your backyard, is a testament to the power of empathy. Empathy stretches our perspective. … Read more |
| As of today, May 16, 2025, 55 websites carried stories with headlines such as: Penguin blamed for helicopter crash in revenge for Trump tariffs…?! How a penguin in a box caused a helicopter to crash in South Africa Helicopter crash in South Africa blamed on ‘unsecured’ penguin Penguin in passenger seat sent helicopter crashing into … Read more |
| What if we reframe conservation as an economic benefit, rather than an obstacle? If the African penguin were to become extinct in the wild, South Africa’s brand reputation as an environmentally healthy destination, famed for its natural assets, would suffer according to a study commissioned by The Endangered Wildlife Trust and the Department of Forestry, … Read more |
| Sometimes other people have already said what we want to say. Here are some quotes for environmentalists, conservationists, nature advocates, and anyone who cares about our planet. It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment. ― Ansel Adams Our planet’s alarm is going off, and it is time to wake … Read more |
| We don’t need to be Catholics to grieve the loss of His Holiness Pope Francis. As the first pontiff in history to take a public stance on combating climate change, he was a strong advocate for climate action and a friend to climate activists. Photo by Jeffrey Bruno/Creative Commons Laudato Si’ In Laudato Si’, Pope … Read more |
| Here is a list of wildlife you may not have heard of. A Common Thread What ties these extinctions together? Human activities, including habitat destruction, hunting, pollution, and climate change, have significantly contributed to the acceleration of extinctions. Many species today face similar threats, including the critically endangered African penguin. Won’t you help us keep … Read more |
| The South African Constitution requires the government to protect endangered species from extinction. In theory, that’s a forward-thinking attitude. In practice, it is not easy to hold the government accountable. After years of deadlock between conservationists and commercial fisheries, South Africa has finally taken a decisive step to protect its critically endangered African penguins. An … Read more |