On Saturday 11 October 2025, International African Penguin Awareness Day, the Two Oceans Aquarium, in partnership with Guardians of the Deep, SANPARKS Honorary Rangers, and SANCCOB, invites Cape Town’s ocean-loving community to join a Waddle from Long Beach to Seaforth Beach in Simon’s Town.
The Waddle is a public event aimed at raising awareness of the plight of African penguins and an opportunity for people to show their love and concern for this charismatic species.
“Between 2022 and 2023, the number of African penguins declined from 10,400 breeding pairs in 2022 to about 8,750 breeding pairs in 2023 – that is a 16% decline, and this trend shows no sign of reversing in 2025,” said Shanet Rutgers, Senior Penguin Keeper & Animal Health Technician at the Two Oceans Aquarium.
“African penguins are iconic to Cape Town, and we are privileged to be able to see them in the False Bay Hope Spot. This privilege comes with responsibility – each one of us is a custodian for the species and it is up to us to raise our voices so that we keep these birds in the media and government spotlight so that they receive the attention and conservation action they deserve. This species will not go extinct on our watch!” added Helen Lockhart, Conservation and Sustainability Manager for the Two Oceans Aquarium.
Waddle Details
Participants are encouraged to show their support and love of African penguins by wearing black and white clothing and carrying signs that reflect their support of this campaign. Make your voices heard!
• Date: Saturday 11 October 2025
• Meet-up: Long Beach, Simon’s Town at 08h30
• Pre-walk activity: We’ll start with a fun activity station, including penguin-themed face paint, to get everyone in the spirit before departure.
• Route: Walk through Simon’s Town, along the Boulders Beach boardwalk, and finish at Seaforth Beach (about 4km)
• Dress & gear: Wear black and white (penguin colours), bring comfortable walking shoes, carry water (in a reusable bottle), and snacks in reusable containers.
• Participation: Free and open to all
• Get creative: Craft your own signs to create awareness, and use these fantastic placards.
• Prizes: Plenty of spot prizes for attendees (as well as the “best-dressed” waddler)
Note: The walk is approximately 4km from Long Beach. Please be sure to review all the details on the Two Oceans Aquarium blog HERE.
African penguins are facing extinction (but it’s not inevitable)
As part of the Not On Our Watch #NOOW Campaign, launched in 2022 to raise awareness about the need for urgent action to reverse the decline of the African penguin population in the wild, the aim of this Waddle is to walk together to raise awareness around the plight of African penguins, which are currently facing extinction.
African penguins are the only penguin species found on the African continent. Unfortunately, their numbers have declined dramatically in the last century – current estimates suggest that there are a mere ~8 750 breeding pairs in the wild today. If their numbers continue to decline at their current rate, these charismatic birds will be functionally extinct in the wild within 15 to 20 years.
One of the biggest threats to African penguins is food availability. These birds rely on small fish, like anchovies and sardines, for food. However, overfishing has decimated fish stocks, and penguins struggle to find sufficient food for themselves and their chicks. Furthermore, climate change has significantly altered the marine ecosystem, causing biodiversity and habitat loss. So, adult penguins must swim further than ever from their nesting grounds to find food. This compromises the health of their chicks and the adults themselves.
This is not the only threat facing South Africa’s African penguin population, with predation by marine and terrestrial animals, oil pollution, noise disturbance, habitat loss, disease, and other human interventions contributing to their continued decline.
As a community, our voices matter. By joining the Waddle, we not only show visible support but also call on our leaders and policymakers to prioritise penguin conservation.
“Immediate and ongoing action is needed to ensure the survival of this species, so we are calling on Waddlers to #SaveTheAfricanPenguin and encourage our leaders and policymakers to make effective decisions that will support the survival of African penguins into the future,” said Lockhart.
WHAT: International African Penguin Awareness Day
WHERE: Waddle from Long Beach to Seaforth Beach in Simon’s Town.
WHEN: 11 October 2025 | Meet-up: Long Beach, Simon’s Town at 08h30
INFO: Two Oceans Aquarium T +27 21 814 4539 | E HWares@aquarium.co.za | VISIT | See also Cape Town Green Map #SaveTheAfricanPenguin
LEAD PHOTO: Arne Purves
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