Visitors watch penguins at the African penguin colony near Cape Town, South Africa, on April 25. Not directly related to the content of the article. [사진 출처 = 연합뉴스]Dozens of endangered African penguins have been slaughtered in South Africa. The exact cause is under investigation, but it seems that it was attacked by a swarm of bees.
According to a recent announcement by the South African National Parks (SANParks), 63 penguins were found dead in Simmonstown near Cape Town on the 17th (local time).
A park official said, “The attack took place between the afternoon of Thursday (16th) and the morning of Friday,” and experts have begun to analyze the cause in detail.
“As a result of the autopsy, several bee sting marks were confirmed on all penguins,” the park said.
According to an initial investigation by the authorities, the penguins were believed to have died after being stung by a ‘Cape bee’. However, the park said that it is currently investigating various possibilities.
“No more dead African penguins have been found at the scene,” said Allison Cork, a marine biologist at the park.
David Roberts, a veterinarian with the South African Coastal Bird Conservation Foundation (SANCCOB), told AFP on the 19th (local time) that “the penguins have bee stings in their eyes. This is very rare.” did.
African penguins inhabit the coasts of South Africa and Namibia. A type of small penguin, known for its irregular patterns and loud sounds.
The African penguin population reached 1 million at the beginning of the 20th century, but has declined to 55,000 as of 2010.
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