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Enchanting, endearing and – unfortunately – endangered. The Simon’s Town colony of African Penguins is estimated to be at about 3% of its original population size, with only 1 000 breeding pairs on which the survival of the population hinges. That’s a lot of pressure on these small aquatic birds.
In a previous article by People’s Post last year, the City of Cape Town Mayco member for spatial planning and environment Marian Nieuwoudt said many factors had contributed to the decline of the penguins. These included a reduction in food sources as a result of overfishing, destruction of habitats, predators such as the caracals and sharks, and disturbances during breeding and molting seasons.
Fortunately, their plight isn’t going unnoticed as Netflix adds another Cape Town-based documentary to its repertoire; this one looking at the challenges faced by the local penguins.
Premiering on Wednesday 16 June on Netflix, Penguin Town is a short docuseries consisting of eight half-hour episodes that follow the lives of the birds as they fight to survive.
“They have six months to choose a partner, stake a claim and make more penguins. Their survival depends on strong relationships. If they get it wrong, they face extinction,” says executive producer Patton Oswalt, who also narrates the series.
But while this may sound like all work and no play, the trailer for the series shows the penguins getting up to some interesting activities: venturing into local stores and hotels, and giving local residents and tourists an eyeful.
A comedy veteran, Oswalt, the King of Queens actor, adds his signature brand of humour to the story of the penguins, as they find themselves in unassuming situations.
The “notorious” group dubbed the “Car Park Gang” are seen getting into mischief, while the love story of one new mating pair unfolds over the eight episodes.
It would seem this new show is one not to be missed.
