Located at Boulders Beach in Table Mountain National Park, Boulders Penguin Colony a unique and endangered land-based colony of African Penguins. This colony is one of only a few in the world, and the site has become famous and a popular international tourist destination.
The Boulders Penguin Colony was established in 1983 and numbers increased from surrounding island colonies to bring breeding numbers to 3,900 birds in 2005. Since then there has been a decrease. The 2011 figures sit at around 2100 birds and suspected causes of this decline include habitat destruction, effects of oil spills and other marine pollution, impacts of global warming, over fishing, and irresponsible tourism activities.
Located in the Cape Peninsula, Boulders Beach is a sheltered beach made up of inlets between granite boulders. It has become a popular tourist stop because a colony of African penguins settled there in 1982. From just two breeding pairs in the beginning, the penguin colony has grown to about 3,000 birds today. It is quite a scene to be able to observe this vulnerable species at close range.
