The effect of flipper banding on the breeding success of African Penguins Spheniscus demersus at Boulders Beach, South Africa

Abstract

Concerns have been expressed over the impact of flipper banding on the survival and reproductive performance of penguins. This study compared the breeding success of banded and unbanded African Penguins Spheniscus demersus at Boulders Beach, South Africa, in 2006. It was based on 100 nests; 50 had at least one banded adult and 50 had no banded adults. Besides flipper banding, other variables considered were extent of vegetation cover, proximity to tourist path, burrow depth, and either sand or clay substratum. There were no significant differences in breeding success between the different nest types or between banded and unbanded penguins, suggesting that once an individual reaches the level of fitness required to breed, banding does not affect the outcome of breeding by African Penguins.