Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration

The wild population of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) is experiencing a dramatic decline.  The population was estimated to be 3 million birds in the 1930's.  The current estimated number is a mere 28,000 breeding pairs; down from 36,000 paris in 2006.  The Boulders Beach colony alone has fallen by 30 percent from a peak of nearly 4,000 birds in 2005.  Other island colonies have declined by 50 percent.  Some scientists predict that the species could vanish within a decade.  This species is truly in trouble.

Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration's Penguin Task Force (PTF) was formed in July 2008.  A Petition was presented to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to place 10 of the 17 species of penguins on the endangered species list.  Staff from the Aquarium's animal care, education and research departments joined forces to examine all the factors possibly affecting the penguins and developed a plan for the Aquaraium to assist in the conservation of the African penguin.  Our Mission Statement reads "To help save the African penguin through leadership and assistance with research, education and conservation efforts".

Mystic Aquarium is a found member of the African penguin Species Survival Plan (SSP) through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  This cooperative management program ensures that the North American population of African penguins in zoos and aquariums is genetically diverse and demographically stable.  Animal Management Specialist, Gayle Sirpenski is the Vice Chair of the program.

To date, two members of the PTF have traveled to South Africa to begin building relationships with the researachers and members of the local conservation organizations.  In the summer of 2008, Supervisor of Pinnipeds and Penguins, Laurie Macha, participated in an EarthWatch program offered by the Dyer Island Conservation Trust.  Laurie was put to work by the field researchers working with the wild penguins.

In April 2009, Gayle Sirpenski attended the 2nd International African Penguin Conference in Ganssbai, South Africa.  She and SSP Chair, Steve Sarro spoke with a number of renowned scientists about the SSP and its current efforts and accomplishments and offered the assistance of the US facilities that display African penguins.  Research initiatives were also presented to the South African scientists.  Mystic Aquarium's research team has a strong focus on aquatic animal health and how it relates to immune function and the environment.  The development of collaborative research projects will be important to understanding why reporductive success in some penguins is so low.