Cape Penguin Claims Southern Ocean as Its Hunting Ground

With its inability to fly offset by its incredible swimming skills, the Cape penguin is well adapted to a polar climate.

This fuzzy little chick gives few hints of the dapper, tuxedo-marked bird it will become.

The Cape penguin, also known as the African penguin and sometimes the jackass penguin because of its distinctive bray, is one of the most photogenic natives of the Southern Ocean. They troll the waters along the South African coasts seeking fish, squid and crustaceans. Although a bit awkward, even comical, on land, these sleek, flightless birds are quick and graceful predators in the sea.

Scientist estimate approximately 170,000 pairs of African penguin survive in the wild. They are well adapted to the icy waters they fish, but are threatened by human activities such as oil spills, overfishing egg collection, and habitat encroachment.