South African Penguins

ITINERARY

Research Summary

Robben Island, South Africa—Infamous as site of Nelson Mandela's former prison, this island is a hotspot for seabird biodiversity, including bank cormorants, African black oystercatchers, and 15,000 African penguins. It lies in the middle of major shipping lanes and the risk of oil spills to local seabirds is well documented.

The worst oil spill occurred in 2000, when 13,000 penguins were "oiled" on Robben Island alone. Most of these were cleaned and released, but the future of this penguin population (reduced by 90 percent in the last century) is threatened.

You will work with a team of scientists coordinated by Dr Les Underhill, Mr Mario Leshoro, Dr Robert Crawford, and Dr Peter Barham. Work includes monitoring seabirds and helping to reduce the impact of the various threats to this fragile environment.

About the Research Site

Robben Island is located in Table Bay, just a few miles from Cape Town. The climate is similar to Mediterranean areas, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Apart from African penguins, breeding seabirds include several species of cormorants, swift terns, Hartlaub’s gulls, and kelp gulls.

There are also colonies of sacred ibis, African black oystercatchers, cattle egrets, and little egrets. Other wildlife on the island includes four antelope species (springbok, bontebok, eland and steenbok), one species of deer, and various reptiles. 

Cape Town is a cosmopolitan city with both natural beauty and cultural sites. Robben Island is at the heart of South Africa’s history, having once housed the infamous prison where political activists were held during Apartheid. 

Accommodations

You’ll share rooms in a comfortable island house that is a 15-minute walk from the edge of the penguin colony. The house has electricity, a flush toilet, and hot and cold running water.

Cuisine

You’ll enjoy meals that use plenty of South Africa's famous fresh fruits and vegetables, and excellent meats. Team members will plan their own menus and rotate cooking and cleanup duties in the large and well-equipped kitchen.