South Africa coasts accommodates only three penguin colonies, one located in Simons Town, the second in Cape Town Boulders Beach and the third right here on our doorstep in Bettys Bay at Stony Point. The African Penguin known as Spheniscus demersus has received its nickname due to the loud calls it makes similar to the braying of a donkey. The penguins located at the Reserve, in Stony point can delightfully boast an estimated yearly visitors of 81058. These animals are highly adapted for water exploiting white and black plumage using their seemingly fragile ‘wings’ as flippers instead. Witnessing the penguins in their natural habitat, is baffling they appear gawky and graceless on land, but once in the water it is like a Cinderella story unravelling. The penguins dash beneath the onslaught of the waves, they dive and dart amongst the kelp as graceful as a dancer..
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Lucky on this particular day visiting the penguins tourists learnt that this was in fact breeding season (from February to October). The young were fairly distinguishable from the fluffy grey feathers that would later transcend to the black and white of their parents. Most of the hatchlings were rather large in size while some shyly nestled behind the protective bodies of their mothers or fathers. The African Penguins reach sexual maturity between 2 and 4 years of age and usually mate for life. Pairs generally return to, their first nest each year defending them from other penguins if necessary. The number of penguins seen on land and in their nests varies as the parents alternate, one sitting in the nest while the other forages. Also a certain time of day the penguins are easier to view, visiting them early morning will do tourists justice as ample birds can be seen in their ‘black and white suit attire’ basking in the early morning sun and some just scattered aimlessly on the bank watching the waves break against the shore. The Stony Point Reserve is open 8 am – 5 pm Monday to Sunday, and the entrance fee is more than fairly priced at 10.00 per person. The day spent surrounded by the penguins remind one of the natural beauty our world has, compelling us to preserve it by all means possible. Today, shockingly the total population of African Penguins is approximately 170, 000 adult penguins and has experienced a rapid decline of 90% in the past 60 years alone, it is listed as Vulnerable in the Red Data book a clear warning that preservation is essential. To visit Stony Point reserve for more information contact: Reception at Stony Point: +27 (0)82 416 8683 – magnificent photos supplied by HangKlip-Kleinmiond Tourism Bureau. |