Penguins captured from wild for zoos
December 2003

The Captive Animals' Protection Society has criticised the capture of 146 Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) from Nightingale Island, part of the UK Overseas Territory of Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic.

The capture, which was given permission by the Administrator of Tristan and the British Foreign Office was undertaken by notorious South African wildlife dealer John Visser.

The birds have since been in quarantine at Visser's Shark Aquarium and will be sold to zoos in Asia and Germany. 20 of the penguins have already arrived at a zoo in Malaysia.

At least four penguins died during transport to South Africa or shortly after arrival at Visser's aquarium.

Rockhopper Penguins are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of threatened species because of the rapid decline of several populations. Bird conservation charities the RSPB and BirdLife have condemned the capture.

This is just yet another example of animals being snatched from the wild for a life of captivity in zoos.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Please contact the following. Ask them to prevent future captures of wildlife and to stop the penguins remaining at Visser's aquarium from being sent to zoos. Request that independent experts be asked to assess whether the penguins can be released back on Nightingale Island: Peter Hampson, Overseas Territories Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Tel: 020 7008 2748 Fax: 020 7008 1589 Email: Peter.Hampson@fco.gov.uk Bill Dixon, Administrator, Tristan da Cunha Email: tristandacunha@gtnet.gov.uk Dr Robert Crawford, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, South Africa Email: Crawford@mcm.wcape.gov.za Please send copies of replies to CAPS at

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Photo credit: The Penguin Image Gallery