Evaluating the Behavior and Temperament of African Penguins in a Non-Contact Animal Encounter Program
Animal ambassador programs are increasingly prevalent in zoos, yet few studies have investigated their impact on animal welfare. We assessed the effects of an ambassador program on the behavior of a colony (N = 15) of zoo-housed African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and evaluated whether individual characteristics were predictive of participation. Behavioral data were collected for […]
The effect of flipper banding on the breeding success of African Penguins Spheniscus demersus at Boulders Beach, South Africa
Concerns have been expressed over the impact of flipper banding on the survival and reproductive performance of penguins. This study compared the breeding success of banded and unbanded African Penguins Spheniscus demersus at Boulders Beach, South Africa, in 2006. It was based on 100 nests; 50 had at least one banded adult and 50 had […]
A note on swimming group size in captive African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) in relation to weather conditions
The swimming group size of captive African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) was studied in relation to weather conditions at Ueno Zoo. The occurrence of swimming behaviour did not vary between fair and cloudy conditions. However, the birds synchronized the timing of swimming with each other under cloudy conditions, and swimming group size increased under cloudy conditions. […]
Review of the rescue, rehabilitation and restoration of oiled seabirds in South Africa, especially African penguins Spheniscus demersus and Cape gannets Morus capensis, 1983-2005
South Africa is a global hotspot for oil pollution. The regional oiled seabird cleaning centre, the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), has handled over 50 000 seabirds from its inception in 1968 until 2005. The majority of seabirds oiled in South Africa are African penguins Spheniscus demersus, followed by Cape […]
Diseases acquired by captive penguins: What happens when they are released into the wild?
The possibility of diseases being picked up by penguins and other birds during captivity and the effects which could follow if such birds are released into the wild are discussed. Ways of mitigating such problems are suggested for the African Penguin Spheniscus demersus.
African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus) Can Detect Dimethyl Sulphide, a Prey-Related Odour
Although it is well established that certain procellariiform seabirds use odour cues to find prey, it is not clear whether penguins use olfactory cues to forage. It is commonly assumed that penguins lack a sense of smell, yet they are closely related to procellariiforms and forage on similar types of prey in similar areas to […]