Submitted Photo Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot has displayed African penguins since 1995. They are always a favorite of zoo guests.

Over the past few years, the Roosevelt Park Zoo has expanded its commitments to conservation efforts for many of the animal species they care for. With the establishment of a Conservation Committee in 2021, this staff driven committee sets priorities for how the funds raised are distributed. The development of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ S.A.F.E (Saving Animals From Extinction) program has made it easier to identify needs and work with other AZA facilities to make a greater impact.

The SAFE program began in 2018 to focus the collective expertise within AZA zoos and aquariums to leverage their massive audiences to create awareness and to save species. Initially beginning with a handful of species to establish a framework for creating an efficient framework that would provide the best opportunity for successful and lasting programs. Since that time, the list of SAFE species has grown to 45 species or groups, with new species being proposed for SAFE status each year.

One of the original SAFE species was the African penguin. In 2018, the program advanced projects that will help bolster numbers of wild African penguin populations. It began with a successful Kickstarter campaign to design, build, and test artificial nests for African penguins with the team reporting great success in developing the first artificial nest that mimics the biological parameters of natural nests almost perfectly, and the penguins responded positively. So much effort was placed on the African penguin because their numbers in the wild were plummeting. There has been a decrease of nearly 98% in the African penguin population. Once counted in the millions, a 2019 count yielded a historic low of less than 21,000 breeding pairs. The SAFE African penguin program partners are focused on making a direct impact for African penguins. With help from zoo’s like ours and corporate sponsors, we work together to turn the tides and can get the governments involved to help this species avoid extinction.

The Roosevelt Park Zoo’s has displayed African penguins since 1995 when their enclosure was completed. Over the years, individuals have come and gone but have always been a favorite of guests. The current exhibit design does not lend itself to a breeding group, so for now remain content to hold a bachelor group of male penguins. Native to the South African coastline, these penguins may not be found in freezing temperatures. Likewise, when temperatures rise into the 90s it can also cause health concerns. They are one of the smallest species of penguin but may also be one of the loudest with their donkey-like bray causing them to be called jackass penguins by some.

They are likely one of the most challenging and time-consuming animals at the zoo as each individual’s diet is closely monitored and documented along with their weights. As with all animals, we continue to learn more about species when in human care so we can continue to improve their welfare, but also to learn more about protecting them in the wild. These super-sensitive birds have always been a joy to see up close and with the help of cooperative efforts like SAFE they will move away from the brink of extinction filling the South African coastline for centuries ahead.