Vulnerable (their numbers are declining by about 2% per
annum). The 2003 population was estimated to be 179 000 birds
(with 56 000 breeding couples).
In 1910 there about 1.4 million African Penguins on Dassen Island alone. In the mid-1950's, Dassen Island's population had decreased to some 145 000 adults.
Year |
Overall population |
mid 1950's |
300 000 adult African Penguins |
late 1970's |
222 000 adult African Penguins |
late 1980's |
194 000 adult African Penguins |
early 1990's |
179 000 adult African Penguins |
This indicates an average rate of decrease between the late 1970's and early 1990's of 1.3%, which increased between the late 1980's and the early 1990's to 1.5%. The annual loss of birds has not slowed as the population has decreased.