Penguin Awareness Day

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Penguins are amazing birds. To celebrate Penguin Awareness Day on Monday, 20 January, here are some fun facts about the birds.

Although a penguin walks in a clumsy way on land it can swim at speeds of up to 8km/h using its flippers to propel itself.

Penguins also do something called porpoising. This involves swimming really fast, then leaping out of the water while taking a breath. When doing this, they can swim up to 20km/h.

They can hold their breath for two and a half minutes and dive up to 130m in search of their favourite food which includes pelagic fish such as pilchards, anchovies, horse mackerel and herring.

African penguins may supplement their diet with squid and small crustaceans in areas where there is a decrease in fish abundance because of commercial fishing.

When penguins moult they have to go on to land for three weeks as their new feathers are not waterproof. So, to prepare for a moult they double their weight, gorging on fish and storing up fat for the long period in which they do not eat.They live off this fat, as they lose their old, faded feathers and gain the smart new plumage. This is when penguins are extremely vulnerable to land-based predators and people.

African penguins used to be known as jackass penguins due to their distinctive donkey-like bray.

There are three other species of penguin who have similar calls, and to avoid confusion this species, which is only found on the continent, is now officially known as the African penguin.

SAPREC, the Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Centre, is located in Mossdustria. The rehabilitation centre has been operating for 14 years and thousands of penguins have been released.

SAPREC faces many challenges and last year the biggest one was sourcing sardines. At one stage it was importing sardines from Canada as there were none to be found locally. This is hugely costly.

SAPREC is always in need of funding in order to function efficiently, as well as everyday materials such as washing up gloves (size small) to protect the volunteers from the penguin's beaks, dishwashing liquid, washing powder and old towels.

"We would also gladly welcome any volunteers who can assist with funding and marketing.

"A big shout out to our wonderful team of supporters and many thanks to all the concerned citizens who assist us daily, with phoning in to tell us about a seabird in distress, we value your support," SAPREC volunteer Nadine Clarke says.

For more information on SAPREC or to help, call 082 364 3382.

All together now. Penguins being released to sea after rehabilitation.