Tulsa Zoo Urges Action As African Penguins Declared Critically Endangered

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has elevated African penguins from endangered to critically endangered, a grim milestone signaling they are nearing extinction.

The species has suffered a 97% population decline, and experts warn they could vanish from the wild by 2035.

“This status change should be a wake-up call to the world,” said Beau Parks, Tulsa Zoo zoological curator of birds and WildLIFE Trek. “If we don’t do something, we’re going to lose these incredible birds.”

The Tulsa Zoo is home to 23 African penguins and has supported conservation efforts through The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) for more than a decade. SANCCOB specializes in rehabilitation, chick rearing, oil spill response, and breeding programs.

“African penguins have been endangered since 2010,” said Tulsa Zoo bird keeper Seana Flossic. “Fourteen years is a very quick decline and indicates how dire the situation is. Our conservation partners have reported oiled penguins, internal obstructions due to plastic ingestion, emaciation due to overfishing as well as habitat loss.”

Flossic, who manages the Regional Studbook for the AZA’s African Penguin Species Survival Plan, has worked with the species in the wild.

“Seeing them in the wild was one of the most overwhelmingly beautiful experiences of my life,” she said. “Knowing they may be gone in just over ten years breaks my heart. I hope we can course correct to preserve these African penguin colonies before it’s too late.”

Unsustainable fishing practices pose a significant threat to the species. Flossic encourages public support for organizations like SANCCOB and the Tulsa Zoo.

“The more people know, the more they care,” she said. “That leads to smarter decisions, like choosing sustainable seafood, to help ensure African penguins are around for generations to come.”

Currently, the IUCN Red List includes 163,040 species, with 45,321 classified as threatened with extinction.