Definitely the last thing I thought I would be doing during my time in Africa. Unfortunately, the success of the breeding colony at Boulders has brought with it a number of problems. There is concern that the concentration of guano droppings under the bushes will poison the more sensitive plants. The penguins already trample many of the smaller, soft plants. Local people are also presenting a problem for the penguin population.
Neighbors complain about the noise and the smell, and many want the population controlled.
It's hard to convince people that a species is endangered when the beach seems practically overrun with them, but research efforts are underway to determine how best to protect the penguins and their habitat while serving the interests of the local people. Not an easy task. All in all, I had perfectly pleasant day. The parents of a student we had met earlier invited Crista and I to a pub for a pint and to watch some pipers play, but instead there was a private party going on, so the playing was postponed. So, indeed, dear reader, there are penguins in Africa.