Hey Fanguins! Want to Help Real Life Penguins? :D
Why Now?
5 out of the 18 penguin species are listed as endangered
That’s approximately 28% that are endangered, not including those under the “vulnerable” or “near threatened” statuses.
These endangered species include:
The Yellow-eyed Penguin
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
Galapagos Penguin
Erect-Crested Penguin
African Penguin
Cute little guys like these African penguins are predicted to go EXTINCT by 2035.
Biggest Threats to Penguins:
Overfishing
Plastic Pollution
Oil Spills
Habitat Disruption
Invasive Species
Climate Change
So… What can We Do?
I know sometimes it seems hopeless when there are major corporations having extensive negative impacts on the environment.
But there are small, everyday changes you may be able to make to contribute for the better (at least a little).
Small actions can add up over time.
Shop Consciously
Overfishing and unregulated fishing are big contributors to penguin populations decreasing.
Less available prey means penguins have to spend longer time at sea to feed their chicks and themselves. This could force them to abandon their chicks, reach the point of exhaustion and pass away as a result, or return to emaciated chicks.
Seafood Watch is a wonderful resource to ensure the seafood you’re buying has been caught sustainably. https://www.seafoodwatch.org/recommendations/download-consumer-guides
Swap for More Sustainable Options
Aside from seafood, you might be able to make many swaps to reusable products.
Reusable grocery bags/tote bags can actually make transporting groceries easier while reducing plastic usage.
If you have access to clean water, a water filter pitcher or a reusable water bottle are also great options when available! 😊
Swapping plastic containers for aluminum cans or cartons (these are easier to recycle)
Swap balloons for other party favors (many released balloons end up in our oceans). Penguins and other sea animals can choke on or get tangled in these while swimming.
Conscious Pet Ownership
Choose pets responsibly and never abandon a pet if you can no longer take care of it. This could lead to the rise of invasive species.
Keep pets on a leash when outside even when you do not see local wildlife.
Penguins, especially those whose habits are around human populations, are regularly attacked and lethally injured by unattended dogs or cats. These include feral or stray animals that have become invasive.
Learn More Directly from Non-Profits:
SANCCOB is an internationally renowned rehabilitation center for South African seabirds (including African penguins) leading conservation efforts for this species. https://sanccob.co.za/about-sanccob/
The Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust is another great non-profit located in New Zealand that tracks behavior and nesting patterns of the Yellow-eyed penguins. They also remove invasive predators to ensure Yellow-eyed penguins have a chance at repopulating to sustainable levels. https://www.yellow-eyedpenguin.org.nz/yellow-eyed-penguin-trust/about-the-trust/
Penguins International is a nonprofit that educates about penguins and penguin conservation efforts. https://www.penguinsinternational.org/about-us/
Any AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums that support conservation efforts
Advocate:
Sign petitions encouraging legislation change that aims to reduce climate change or regulate fishing
Write to/email legislators when penguin species are at risk
Donate (if you can/would like):
Both Penguins International and SANCCOB do symbolic penguin adoptions to support penguin conservation.
On SANCCOB’s website, you can choose an egg, hatchling, rehabilitated penguin, or long-term penguin resident to symbolically adopt/sponsor. You even get to give your adopted penguin a name!
The Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust also accepts donations of various amounts.
I figured since if you follow this blog, penguins have inspired media and art that means a lot to you or that has at least brightened your day. If you’re as amazed as I am about the real life species, please consider taking steps to help or learn more about real penguins. I figured sharing this information, while trying to make these changes myself, are the least I could do to honor these amazing creatures!
Thank you for reading! 😁
(Lol I’ll get off my soapbox now 😉)
Maybe Tom McGrath can explain it better 😉 (skip to 3:16 to hear him talk about how amazing penguins are! 😊)
