African penguins face extinction threat amid food shortages: Video

"We have lost 97 percent of the population, and the species could become extinct within my lifetime," said Allison Kock, a marine biologist with South African National Parks told the AFP.

Food scarcity has become the biggest threat to these penguins who need sardines and anchovies to survive and breed, but are starving as a result of overfishing has led to starvation.

As part of efforts to curb the situation, authorities have banned commercial fishing near six penguin colonies, but experts say the zones are too small to make a difference.

“We need to limit direct competition between industrial fisheries and the penguins,” said Katta Ludynia, a researcher at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB).

Tourism has also become a challenge for the penguins. While tourist visits bring much-needed funds, they can disturb the birds. Conservationists emphasise that protecting penguins helps maintain a healthy ecosystem that benefits humans as well.

Scientists have expressed optimism about the recovery of the penguin population with conservation efforts including using artificial nets, etc.

"It is possible to recover the penguin population. We can’t lose hope," she said. Conservation efforts, like artificial nests and expanding fishing bans, aim to stop the decline and ensure the species’ survival.

Meanwhile, conservationists are trying to protect these penguins in their natural habitat, using measures like disease surveillance, predator management, and artificial nests.