I know, I know, it's been a whole month since I last posted but I've been extremely busy with my uni work and Christmas etc etc.
Never mind, I'm back now and what a better way to start 2014 than with Penguin Awareness Day!
Now don't lie and tell me you haven't watched Happy Feet and that you didn't fall totally head over heels with that hip-hoppity little fella...but what about real penguins? I'm sure a lot of you love them but how much do you really know about those tuxedo wearing guys?
Well, there are approximately 18 species of Penguin worldwide and sadly 13 of those species are considered at risk. Some species only have a few thousand individuals left and that may sound like a lot but it's really, really not.
When you think about Penguins, I bet your first thoughts are cold, snow, the Antarctic...but Penguins are actually found in many other places around the world. Species can be found in really hot places too! Places like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa all have species of Penguins living there. They can also be found as far north as the Galapagos Islands.
It's no surprise that Penguins becoming endangered was largely down to us humans. Man-made pollution, oil spills, habitat destruction and exploitation of food sources are some of the reasons that Penguins have become endangered but, to my surprise, deforestation is also one of the things causing problems for Penguins!
Other problems such as climate change are also part of the problem. With the ice-caps melting, the poor Penguins habitats are slowly but surely disappearing.
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| Photo Credit: Atmos News. |
Well there are many ways in which you can help save the Penguins and I have gathered a few for you here to help you on your way.
Adopt a Pengiun with the WWF - Through the WWF you can adopt a Penguin and your money can help with the following:
- Managing resources and safeguarding Antarctica's wildlife
- Establish protected areas in the Southern Ocean
- Reduce illegal and unsustainable fishing practices
and much more!
For £3, £5 or £10 a month (or whatever you can afford) you will receive an adoption pack with a cuddly toy, bookmark, stickers, a certificate and loads more cool stuff!
You can also donate to other organisations that help penguins -
- Defenders of Wildlife
- Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust
- Oceana
- Penguin Foundation
- Sanccob
Keep the oceans clean -
You can help keep the oceans clean by recycling, cleaning up beaches when you visit, buying organic foods that reduce the use of fertilisers and pesticides and disposing of chemicals correctly! You can read more about how to keep the oceans clean here.
Only eat fish that has been sustainably caught -
Penguins are huge fans of sardines, krill, anchovies and other small fish that us humans also like to eat. The over-fishing of these small fish is using up the Penguins food supplies and without them they cannot survive!
There are many other ways in which you can help save the Penguins. As with all conservation effort, education is key! So why not have a little read up about the different species of Penguin and the other ways that you can help save them from becoming extinct!
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