SOUTH AFRICA – In the last week of May, a much-anticipated research project will start at Boulders Penguin Colony in Simonstown. The African penguin movement ecology research project will take place over the penguins' breeding season from May to September 2019.
“The study is being led by the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology from the University of Cape Town and SANCCOB. The partnership will see a collaboration between these two organisations and South African National Parks – Cape Research Centre to conduct the study,” said Dr Alison Kock, Marine Biologist: Cape Research Centre.
Thirty penguins will be tagged over the breeding season, with batches of six birds per sampling period for a maximum of two days. Adult penguins will be fitted with electronic loggers that record their GPS locations and dive depths as well as video footage of their behaviour at sea. The loggers will be attached to their lower backs with waterproof tape.
GPS tracking of African penguins was last done at Boulders in early 2000. Since then, penguins at all main breeding colonies in South Africa and Namibia have been tracked using these devices.
“The current study will be a great comparison to the earlier study in False Bay and will close the gap in knowledge on the foraging behaviour of African penguins all along our coast, as False Bay is important habitat and a key area to protect the species,” said Dr Katta Ludynia, Research Manager at SANCCOB.
During the study a small sample of birds will be marked with a non-permanent pink dye so that their nest attendance times can be monitored, as well as to choose birds that are going to the sea the following day.
Dr Kock said that African penguins have dramatically declined over the last century with only an estimated 23,000 breeding pairs remaining in the wild.
“The findings of this research project will assist the scientists to better understand the types of fish the African penguins eat in order to help manage fish stocks more sustainably; determine their hunting areas that can be used to motivate for the extensions of Marine Protected Areas; and knowing where they go can help limit threats to these areas, e.g. pollution.”
Source
Research project of African penguins commences at Boulders Penguin Colony [media release], 21 May 2019, South African National Parks (SANParks) – Cape Region Communications
“The study is being led by the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology from the University of Cape Town and SANCCOB. The partnership will see a collaboration between these two organisations and South African National Parks – Cape Research Centre to conduct the study,” said Dr Alison Kock, Marine Biologist: Cape Research Centre.
Thirty penguins will be tagged over the breeding season, with batches of six birds per sampling period for a maximum of two days. Adult penguins will be fitted with electronic loggers that record their GPS locations and dive depths as well as video footage of their behaviour at sea. The loggers will be attached to their lower backs with waterproof tape.
GPS tracking of African penguins was last done at Boulders in early 2000. Since then, penguins at all main breeding colonies in South Africa and Namibia have been tracked using these devices.
“The current study will be a great comparison to the earlier study in False Bay and will close the gap in knowledge on the foraging behaviour of African penguins all along our coast, as False Bay is important habitat and a key area to protect the species,” said Dr Katta Ludynia, Research Manager at SANCCOB.
During the study a small sample of birds will be marked with a non-permanent pink dye so that their nest attendance times can be monitored, as well as to choose birds that are going to the sea the following day.
Dr Kock said that African penguins have dramatically declined over the last century with only an estimated 23,000 breeding pairs remaining in the wild.
“The findings of this research project will assist the scientists to better understand the types of fish the African penguins eat in order to help manage fish stocks more sustainably; determine their hunting areas that can be used to motivate for the extensions of Marine Protected Areas; and knowing where they go can help limit threats to these areas, e.g. pollution.”
Source
Research project of African penguins commences at Boulders Penguin Colony [media release], 21 May 2019, South African National Parks (SANParks) – Cape Region Communications
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