A colony of African Penguins living on South Africa's east coast were headed toward extinction as a result of human fishing for anchovies and sardines. Between 2001 and 2009 the population of
Spheniscus demersus declined by 60%. A 20 kilometer no fishing zone was established in January 2009 in hopes of saving the penguins. A comparative study shows that human respect for their survival has had a quick positive effect. Now 70% of the birds fish within the safe zone compared to 75% that had to swim beyond 20 kilometers (12 miles) to find food. The birds can now invest their 40% energy savings in reproduction activity. Penguins living at another island off the coast in unprotected waters are still swimming long distances to find food. Scientists want to study the birds in the protected zone over the long term to see if their prediction of a population increase is correct. The study by France's National Centre for Scientific Research and published in Britain's Royal Society Biology Letters demonstrates how quickly a species can rebound if given a little help to survive.
