Mass mortality of African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus) caused by Cape honeybees (Apis mellifera capensis)

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dc.contributor.authorLudynia, Katrin
dc.contributor.authorSnyman, lbert
dc.contributor.authorKock, Alison
dc.date.accessioned2025-10-30T10:19:41Z
dc.date.available2025-10-30T10:19:41Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.description.abstractThe African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is a seabird endemic to southern Africa and is currently classified as critically endangered, with fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs left in the wild. Sixty-four African Penguins were found dead at a mainland colony in South Africa in September 2021 after being attacked by Cape honeybees (Apis mellifera capensis), a subspecies endemic to the southern coast of South Africa. An additional adult penguin was found alive with red-stained urine and died shortly after rescue. Post-mortem examination revealed bee stingers embedded in featherless facial areas, accompanied by localised erythema and swelling. The number of stingers ranged from 2 to 35 per penguin (on average 3.5 ± 2.7 stingers/kg in adult males and 4.1 ± 3.6 stingers/kg in adult females), suggesting the species may have a low tolerance to bee venom. Internal lesions were consistent with those previously reported in bee envenomation in other birds and mammals, including severe pulmonary congestion and oedema, systemic shock, and acute kidney injury. The cause of the bee attacks remains unclear but may relate to disturbance by humans or penguins. Habitat degradation and proximity to human activity can increase the risk of bee attacks. Management strategies should include buffer zones for beekeeping, removing or relocating highrisk hives, and educating residents about the risks of beekeeping near colonies. Understanding the drivers of bee defensiveness will be important to prevent further incidents and ensure this endemic bee subspecies does not become an added threat to the African Penguin.
dc.identifier.citationAlbert Snyman, Ralph E. T. Vanstreels, Alison Kock, Mashudu H. Mashau, Arne Purves, David G. Roberts, Faroeshka Rodgers, Jenny Cullinan & Katrin Ludynia (07 Sep 2025): Mass mortality of African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus) caused by Cape honeybees (Apis mellifera capensis), Emu - Austral Ornithology, DOI: 10.1080/01584197.2025.2550453
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1080/01584197.2025.2550453
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10566/21341
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherTaylor & Francis
dc.subjectAfrican penguin
dc.subjectbee envenomation
dc.subjectmass mortality event
dc.subjectconservation threats
dc.subjectCape honeybees
dc.titleMass mortality of African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus) caused by Cape honeybees (Apis mellifera capensis)
dc.typeArticle

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