5 Ways to Help Wild Penguins
Penguins are loved the world over, and it’s no wonder why; their pudgy forms; their waddling gait; their fluffy chicks. But it’s not all happy feet in the wild. Of the 18 recognized penguin species, 11 of them are listed as Vulnerable or Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Conservationists fear that, if no change is made, some species could go extinct as early as 2035.
It’s easy to feel hopeless in the face of such somber news. However, there’s still a lot that penguin lovers can do to help. Here are 5 Ways to Help Wild Penguins.
1.) Reduce Waste
Pollution is a big problem for penguins. Not only does climate change affect their food supply, but plastics in the water supply can injure them or make them sick.
You can help by:
limiting your use of single-use plastics (grocery bags, water bottles, food packaging, etc)
carpooling or taking public transportation
volunteering for a beach or river cleanup
2.) Eat Sustainably
Commercial fishing has a big impact on wild penguins. Overfishing depletes their food supply. Penguins can become entangled in improperly disposed of nets or fishing line.
You can help by:
consulting a sustainable seafood guide, such as Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch
joining the Penguin Heroes Challenge and pledging to make a change in your diet
3.) Donate to reputable organizations
If you can manage it, donating to reputable conservation organizations is a great way to help wild penguins. Many zoos and aquariums offer programs where you can interact with resident penguins, with portions of the proceeds going to penguin conservation.
Some of my favorite penguin organizations include:
4.) Make your voice heard
Some of the measures that make the most impact on penguins are those taken by our political leaders. Let them know that you care about the environment and protecting wild penguins.
You can make your voice heard by:
Writing a letter to your government officials to tell them the importance of protecting the environment
Supporting policies that address the dangers of climate change
5.) Spread the word
January 20th may be Penguin Awareness Day, but spreading awareness is important throughout the year. The more people that are aware of the issues wild penguins face, the more we can make a difference.
Spread the news by:
Sharing your penguin-saving efforts on social media
Telling your friends and family about how they can help penguins
Downloading my free Penguin Awareness Day coloring sheet