Boulders penguins - 2009
On the way back to central Cape Town we visited the colony of African penguins at Boulders.
In 1983 a pair of African penguins were spotted here. Since then the colony has grown rapidly.
By 1997 there were 2350 adult birds. Such a quick growth of the colony was the result of immigration, as well as
by reproduction. Birds have probably come to False Bay because of the good fishing available since
commercial fishing has been banned in the Bay.
Although people here and at nearby Simon's Town are very proud of its penguins, the birds invaded their gardens,
destroyed the undergrowth. As a result, the area has now been taken over by Cape Peninsula National Park,
the birds have been restrained from wandering inland by a fence, and board walks have been established.
On the way back to central Cape Town we visited the colony of African penguins at Boulders.
In 1983 a pair of African penguins were spotted here. Since then the colony has grown rapidly.
By 1997 there were 2350 adult birds. Such a quick growth of the colony was the result of immigration, as well as
by reproduction. Birds have probably come to False Bay because of the good fishing available since
commercial fishing has been banned in the Bay.
Although people here and at nearby Simon's Town are very proud of its penguins, the birds invaded their gardens,
destroyed the undergrowth. As a result, the area has now been taken over by Cape Peninsula National Park,
the birds have been restrained from wandering inland by a fence, and board walks have been established.
