Simon’s Town is is found along the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula, 35 kilometers south of Cape Town. The terrain of the area includes small beaches of sandstone boulders and thickets of vegetation extending 2 hectares (4.9 acres). The Boulders section consists of three beaches, three boardwalks, and a penguin viewing area.

Management Authority: South African National Parks and City of Cape Town

Population: Currently 975 African Penguin breeding pairs (Based on 2021 Census).

Other Notable Species in the Location: Cape Cormorant (Ohalacrocorax capensis), Bank Cormorant (Phalacrocorax neglectus), White-breasted Cormorant (Phalacrocorax lucidus), African Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini), Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus), Hartlaub’s Gull (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii), Cape Spurfowl (Pternistis capensis), Cape Bulbul (Pycnonotus capensis), Cape Sugarbird (Promerops cafer), Cape Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis), Cape Grey Mongoose (Galerella pulverulenta), Water Mongoose (Atilax paludinosus), Large-spotted Genet (Genetta maculata), Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis), Southern Rock Agama (Agama atra), Red-sided Skink (Trachylepis homalocephala), Cape Skink (Trachylepis capensis), Short-legged Seps (Tetradactylus seps), Knox’s Desert Lizard (Meroles knoxii), Marbled Leaf-toed Gecko (Afrogecko porphyreus), Cape Cobra (Naja nivea), Puff Adder (Bitis arietans), Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) Introduced species: Feral cat

African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus)

• Lifespan: 20 years
• Conservation status: Endangered
• Population Trend: Decreasing
• Prey/diet: Anchovy, sardines, bearded goby (in Namibia), horse mackerel, juvenile hake, redeye, and less commonly cephalopods and crustaceans

African Penguin Chicks at SANCCOB.
Photo source: SANCCOB, https://sanccob.co.za/projects/chick-bolstering-project/

2022 Quarter 4
Update

African Penguin being weighed at 1085kg.
Photo source: SANCCOB, https://sanccob.co.za/projects/chick-bolstering-project/

In November, SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) admitted over 200 Penguin chicks and has continued to rehabilitate and release penguins.

We have received word from the Cape Town facility that some African Penguins tested positive for the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), there is no cure for the Avian Influenza. Unfortunately, the three penguins that tested positive were humanely euthanized. SANCCOB has been placed under quarantine until further notice in effort to minimize the spread of the virus within the facility.

SANCCOB continues to accept abandoned penguins at their off-site quarantine facility. All birds cared for at SANCCOB are being closely observed and monitored for signs of HPAI. The situation has called for additional pathology testing which can cost $60 USD/ 58 EUR/ 1,000 ZAR per bird.

Your support of the Chick Bolstering Project is needed now more than ever. Thank you for choosing to be involved in this initiative.

2023 Quarter 1
Update

Coming soon.