60,000 African penguins starved to death after sardine numbers collapsed – study

The GuardianFriday, December 5, 2025 at 6:00:39 AM
60,000 African penguins starved to death after sardine numbers collapsed – study
  • More than 60,000 African penguins have starved to death in South Africa due to a significant decline in sardine populations, according to a recent study. The research indicates that over 95% of the penguins in two key breeding colonies, located on Dassen Island and Robben Island, perished between 2004 and 2012, primarily during their moulting period, exacerbated by the climate crisis and overfishing.
  • This alarming decline in African penguin populations highlights the severe impact of environmental changes and human activities on marine ecosystems. The loss of such a significant number of penguins raises concerns about biodiversity and the health of oceanic food chains, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation efforts and sustainable fishing practices.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

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