Intercolony variation in reproductive skipping in the African penguin

Leith, Freddie; Grigg, Jennifer; Barham, Barbara J.; Ludynia, Katrin; McGeorge, Cuan; Mdluli, Andile; Parsons, Nola J.; Waller, Lauren J.; Sherley, Richard B.

doi:10.1002/ece3.9255

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 65 publications

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“…Among the various aspects of breeding behavior, the pair-bond duration factor is more easily observable and describable in ex situ conditions. African penguins are known to mate for life, and the majority of them do so 2 , 18 , 28 , 34 , 35 . However, there are documented cases of partner switching 26 , 27 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breeding behavior analysis in a large captive colony of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and its implications for population management and conservation

Borecki,

Rosenberger,

Mucha

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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The African penguin Spheniscus demersus, frequently housed in zoos, holds potential for future reintroduction efforts due to its declining wild population. This paper aims to explore various aspects of reproductive performance in African penguins within a large ex situ colony at Zoo Wrocław in Poland, covering 9 years of breeding behaviors. The analysis reveals parallels in colony growth and partner change patterns with those observed in the wild. Positive correlations were found between breeding success and pair-bond duration, with the increasing colony size influencing reproductive performance. Contrary to their wild counterparts, captive African penguins initiate breeding attempt and produce a fertilized egg at a younger age. However, successful breeding still requires gaining experience or forming pairs with more experienced partners. Our research indicates that providing captive African penguins with unlimited food resources and sufficient nesting space results in rapid colony growth. The increased colony size facilitates breeding behaviors that positively influence population dynamics, particularly through the maintenance of long-term pair bond relationships and the potential for partner changes when necessary or desirable to enhance breeding success. We present compelling case studies in pair fidelity, offering valuable insights and implications for the management of captive populations and conservation efforts.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breeding behavior analysis in a large captive colony of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and its implications for population management and conservation

Borecki,

Rosenberger,

Mucha

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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Decades of artificial nests towards African penguin conservation—Have they made a difference?

Pichegru,

Sherley,

Malan

et al. 2024

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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African penguins are among the most threatened seabird species globally and an African Penguin Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) published in 2013 guides conservation strategies to prevent their extinction. To counter the impact of past guano exploitation which reduced the nesting habitat of these burrowing seabirds, rendering them vulnerable to predators and extreme weather events, a suite of artificial nests was deployed in various colonies over the past decades with varying success. The BMP called for new nest designs to maximise breeding output. This study assesses African penguin breeding success over the past 14 years in four types of artificial nests and in natural nests at all major colonies in South Africa. Overall, artificial nests outperformed natural nests and successfully increased breeding output of African penguins by 16.5% (95% CI: 6.7–26.2). No design was, however, consistently most effective across locations. For example, fibreglass nests had the poorest hatching success of all nest types at one colony (Bird Island), but outperformed cement nests at another (Boulders Beach). The latest design of double‐layered ceramic nests tended to perform better than other artificial nests, although not consistently at all colonies and occupancy rates were low in some areas. Practical implication. The deployment of artificial nests proved to be a successful conservation measure for African penguins although the variety of habitats in the different colonies seems to have prevented a one solution‐fits‐all approach. The consistent poor breeding output in some areas in all nest types (<30% at the mainland colony in Simons' Town and the islands in Algoa Bay) further calls for colony‐specific conservation strategies beyond artificial nests, while the continuous decline in African penguin numbers globally calls for broader measures urgently, primarily increasing access to their forage fish prey.

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Preliminary investigation into deducing breeding success of African Penguins Spheniscus demersus from automated transponder reader data to reduce disturbance

Mnyekemfu,

Barham,

Barham

et al. 2023

Ostrich

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Intercolony variation in reproductive skipping in the African penguin

Cited by 5 publications

References 65 publications

Breeding behavior analysis in a large captive colony of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and its implications for population management and conservation

Breeding behavior analysis in a large captive colony of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and its implications for population management and conservation

Decades of artificial nests towards African penguin conservation—Have they made a difference?

Preliminary investigation into deducing breeding success of African Penguins Spheniscus demersus from automated transponder reader data to reduce disturbance

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