African Penguin

Quick Facts
Get to Know
On the Job
Protecting Wildlife
Special Experiences

Quick facts

Lifespan

15-20 years in the wild

up to 40 years in captivity

Diet

Sardines

anchovies, gobies and herring

Habitat

Sea cliffs

shorelines, beaches, rocky offshore islands

Range

Coasts and islands

of south-western Africa

The African penguins

Warm weathered penguins

Not all penguins live in freezing sub-zero temperatures. African penguins are found off the south-western coast of Africa. Temperatures soar in the day and plummet at night.

Our penguins are given a choice of both extremes. They are free to go for a swim or relax by the pool at their sunny outdoor exhibit. If it gets too hot, they can opt to retreat to their air-conditioned den cum nesting area.

The bird keeper

Hafiz Yani

Keeper

Hafiz Yani

Keeper

So, when did you join us as a bird keeper?

Three years ago, I started off at the Waterfall Aviary but my assistant curator thought I would work well with penguins. I can be very anal when it comes to cleaning, and penguin exhibits need to be very clean. The ammonia level must be kept low. Penguins poop every five minutes, so it’s a real challenge.

Together, we protect wildlife

African penguins love to fish and so do we. Humans and penguins are competing for food from the oceans but how can these petite penguins win when they are up against large fishing trawlers with unsustainable fishing practices? We can have our fish and help the penguin, too. Buy fish from sustainable sources.

The IUCN Status

Endangered

At very high risk of extinction in the wild

Encounters with wildlife

Feed the Penguins

Penguin Coast (Outdoor exhibit) 10.30am & 3.30pm

Grab a tray of fish and hand-feed our adorable African penguins! Watch how they dart about the water, hop on land, and waddle up to you to eat.

^S$ 5.00 /food portion

Available on a first come first served basis; prior online booking required

Book Now

African penguin

Quick facts

15-20 years in the wild

Sardines

Sea cliffs

Coasts and islands

The African penguins

Warm weathered penguins

The bird keeper

Hafiz Yani

Hafiz Yani

So, when did you join us as a bird keeper?

Together, we protect wildlife

The IUCN Status

Encounters with wildlife

Feed the Penguins

You might also like

Every visit to Mandai comes with

Find out how, together, we're creating a better future for wildlife and the planet.

Opening hours

Address

About Mandai

Our Parks

Get Involved

Corporate

Careers

Need Help?

African penguin

Quick facts

15-20 years in the wild

Sardines

Sea cliffs

Coasts and islands

The African penguins

Warm weathered penguins

The bird keeper

Hafiz Yani

Hafiz Yani

So, when did you join us as a bird keeper?

Together, we protect wildlife

The IUCN Status

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Data Deficient

Least Concern

Near Threatened

Vulnerable

Endangered

Critically Endangered

Extinct in the Wild

Extinct

Encounters with wildlife

Feed the Penguins

You might also like

Every visit to Mandai comes with

Find out how, together, we're creating a better future for wildlife and the planet.

About Mandai

Our Parks

Get Involved

Corporate

Careers

Need Help?