“What do we do with all the old penguin homes?”
It sounds like a simple question, but finding the answer led to a wonderful community initiative.
For almost 20 years, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust has been building artificial nests for the Critically Endangered African Penguin, not only for the colony that the Trust works with on Dyer Island, alongside conservation partners CapeNature, but also by providing penguin homes to African Penguin colonies across South Africa and as far as Namibia.
The reason for providing these artificial nests is simple. Once, penguins nested safely in burrows dug into thick layers of guano, but after these deposits were removed for fertiliser, they were forced to nest in the open, exposing their eggs and chicks to predators, heat and winter storms.
Since launching the African Penguin Nest Project in 2006, the Trust has continually improved the design of its artificial nests. What started as fibreglass homes evolved, through years of research and monitoring, into specially designed ceramic nests that provide better insulation, ventilation and protection, giving penguins the best possible chance of successfully raising their chicks.
But that left another challenge.
What should we do with the older nests?
Throwing them away simply wasn’t an option.
Marine Dynamics CEO and Founder of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, Wilfred Chivell, challenged his team to find a creative solution that reflected the organisation’s belief in helping others—people, wildlife and communities alike.
Then Magda, Head of the Maintenance Department, came up with a brilliant idea.
The retired penguin homes found a second life. Some were first painted and then donated to community members as cosy dog houses before winter arrived, while others were transformed into colourful little train carriages for local crèches and schools, creating fun spaces where children can play and learn.
What once protected penguin chicks is now protecting family pets and bringing joy to children.
That’s conservation in action.
You can also become part of this story.
For just R500, you can sponsor a brand-new African Penguin home. Every nest provides a safe place for a penguin pair to lay their eggs and raise their chicks, helping one of the world’s most threatened seabirds recover.
One home. One penguin family. One more step away from extinction.
To sponsor an African Penguin home, contact the Dyer Island Conservation Trust or visit our website.
Together, we can help give every penguin the home it deserves.
www.dict.org.za/donate
Christine Wessels – [email protected]
