Catastrophic die-off: 60,000 african penguins starved as sardine populations collapsed in south africa

A devastating ecological tragedy unfolded along South Africa’s coastline between 2004 and 2012, as more than 60,000 African penguins starved to death following the dramatic collapse of local sardine populations. New research reveals that this catastrophic die-off eliminated over 95% of penguins from two of the region’s most critical breeding colonies on Dassen Island and Robben Island.

The mass starvation event occurred during the penguins’ vulnerable moulting period, when the flightless birds depend entirely on their fat reserves and nearby food sources for survival. Without access to their primary prey—sardines—the breeding penguins were unable to sustain themselves through this critical phase of their life cycle.

Scientists point to a deadly combination of climate change and commercial overfishing as the primary drivers behind the sardine population collapse. Rising ocean temperatures and shifting current patterns associated with the climate crisis have disrupted marine ecosystems, while intensive fishing pressure has further depleted already stressed fish stocks.

This ecological disaster highlights the fragile interconnectedness of marine food webs and the cascading effects when key species disappear. African penguins, already classified as endangered, face mounting pressures from habitat loss, pollution, and food scarcity. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive marine conservation strategies that address both climate impacts and sustainable fishing practices to prevent similar catastrophes and protect remaining penguin populations from further decline.