Dr Anton Wolfaardt

Email: anton [dot] wolfaardt [at] jncc [dot] gov [dot] uk
ADU graduated: PhD 2007
Thesis: The effects of oiling and rehabilitation on the breeding productivity and annual moult and breeding cycles of African Penguins [PDF full-thesis 7.1 MB]

PhD, University of Cape Town.

Supervised by Professor Les Underhill (ADU) and Dr Tony Williams (CapeNature and ADU)

PhD thesis summary

Anton’s thesis examined the impacts of oil spill events and the subsequent rehabilitation process on the breeding biology, and breeding and moult phenology of African Penguins in the short, medium and long term. The thesis formed part of a broader research programme to quantify the conservation value of de-oiling African Penguins. This study documents the systematic follow-up of de-oiled African Penguins after the Apollo Sea oil spill over a period of 10.5 years, from 1994 up until 2005, to assess the restoration success (percentage of de-oiled birds that attempt breeding after release) of cleaning oiled African Penguins. Previous studies focused mostly on the post-release survival, and rehabilitation success, of the oil spill victims over a three to five year period. This study examines the extent to which African Penguins are successfully restored into the breeding population, how successfully they breed, and whether they experience any long-term costs of reproducing. As such, the study provides a robust assessment of the long-term impacts of oil pollution on the population dynamics of African Penguins, and the conservation value of de-oiling contaminated birds. The results of the study are vital for the future management of seabird rescue operations during oil spills, not only in South Africa, but globally.

Current work

Anton Wolfaardt is currently based in the Falkland Islands working for the Joint Nature Conservation Committee of the UK as the ACAP (Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels) coordinator for the UK South Atlantic Overseas Territories, which include the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Tristan da Cunha and the British Antarctic Territories.

Qualifications and experience

Anton completed a BSc degree, majoring in Zoology and Environmental and Geographical Science at UCT in 1993, and a BSc(Hons) degree at Stellenbosch University in Nature Conservation in 1999. Anton’s Honours thesis dealt with the dynamics of beach debris at Dassen Island and its effects on the island’s seabird populations. From 1994 to 1995 Anton worked for the then Sea Fisheries Research Institute as a researcher at the sub-Antarctic Marion Island, where he conducted studies on Gentoo, Macaroni and Rockhopper Penguins, Imperial Cormorants and various other seabirds. Anton was based at Dassen Island Nature Reserve from 1996 until 2001, where he worked first as a contract scientist, and then as the Reserve Manager. His research at Dassen Island focused broadly on the ecology and conservation of seabirds, with a particular emphasis on the impact of oil pollution on African Penguins. From 2001 until February 2008, Anton worked as a Regional Ecologist for CapeNature, and was responsible for directing, co-ordinating and facilitating ecological management within the West Boland and Cederberg regions of the organisation.

List of publications

Barham, P. J., Crawford, R. J. M., Underhill, L. G., Wolfaardt, A. C., Barham, B. J., Dyer, B. M., Leshoro, T. M., Mëyer, M. A., Navarro, R., Oschadleus, D., Upfold, L., Whittington, P. A. & Williams, A. J. 2006. Return to Robben Island of African Penguins that were rehabilitated, relocated or reared in captivity following the Treasure oil spill of 2000. Ostrich 77: 202-209.

Cooper, J., Wolfaardt, A. C. & Crawford, R. J. M. 1997. Trends in population size and breeding success at colonies of Macaroni and Rockhopper Penguins, Marion Island, 1979/80-1995/96. CCAMLR Science 4: 125-147.

Crawford, R. J. M., Cooper, J., Du Toit, M., Greyling, M. D., Hanise, B., Holness, C. L., Keith, D., Nel, J. L., Peterson, S., Spencer, K., Tshingana, D. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 2003b. Population and breeding of the gentoo penguin Pygoscelis papua at Marion Island, 1994/95-2002/03. African Journal of Marine Science 25: 463-474.

Crawford, R. J. M., Cooper, J., Dyer, B. M., Greyling, M. D., Klages, N. T. W., Nel, D. C., Nel, J. L., Peterson, S. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 2003a. Decrease in numbers of rockhopper penguins Eudyptes chrysocome at Marion Island, 1994-2001. African Journal of Marine Science 25: 487-497.

Crawford, R. J. M., Cooper, J., Dyer, B. M., Upfold, L., Venter, A. D., Whittington, P. A., Williams, A. J. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 2002. Longevity, inter-colony movements and breeding of Crested Terns in South Africa. Emu 102: 265-273.

Crawford, R. J. M., Cooper, J., Dyer, B. M., Wolfaardt, A. C., Tshingana, D., Spencer, K., Peterson, S., Nel, J. L., Keith, D., Holness, C. L., Hanise, B., Greyling, M. D. & Du Toit, M. 2003c. Population, age at first breeding, breeding success and diet of Crozet Shags Phalacrocorax melanogenis at Marion Island, 1994-2001. African Journal of Marine Science 25: 537-547.

Crawford, R. J. M., David, J. H. M., Shannon, L. J., Kemper, J., Klages, N. T. W., Roux, J.-P., Underhill, L. G., Ward, V. L., Williams, A. J. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 2001. African Penguins as predators and prey – coping (or not) with change. South African Journal of Marine Science 23: 435-447.

Crawford, R. J. M., Davis, S. A., Harding, R. T., Jackson, L. F., Leshoro, T. M., Meÿer, M. A., Randall, R. M., Underhill, L. G., Upfold, L., Van Dalsen, A. P., Van der Merwe, E., Whittington, P. A., Williams, A. J. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 2000. Initial impact of the Treasure oil spill on seabirds off western South Africa. South African Journal of Marine Science 22: 157-176.

Crawford, R. J. M., Hemming, M., Kemper, J., Klages, N. T. W., Randall, R. M., Underhill, L. G., Venter, A. D., Ward, V. L. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 2006. S24-2 Molt of the African penguin, Spheniscus demersus, in relation to its breeding season and food availability. Acta Zoologica Sinica 52: 444-447.

Crawford RJM, Sabarros PS, Fairweather T, Underhill LG, Wolfaardt AC. 2008a. Implications for seabirds off South Africa of a long-term change in the distribution of sardine. African Journal of Marine Science 30: 177-184.

Crawford RJM, Underhill LG, Coetzee JC, Fairweather T, Shannon LJ, Wolfaardt AC. 2008b. Influences of the abundance and distribution of prey on African Penguins Spheniscus demersus off western South Africa. African Journal of Marine Science 30: 167-175.

Underhill, L. G., Bartlett, P. A., Baumann, L., Crawford, R. J. M., Dyer, B. M., Gildenhuys, A., Nel, D. C., Oatley, T. B., Thornton, M., Upfold, L., Williams, A. J., Whittington, P. A. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 1999. Mortality and survival of African Penguins Spheniscus demersus involved in the Apollo Sea oil spill: an evaluation of rehabilitation efforts. Ibis 141: 29-37.

Underhill, L. G., Crawford, R. J. M., Wolfaardt, A. C., Whittington, P. A., Dyer, B. M., Leshoro, T. M., Ruthenberg, M., Upfold, L. & Visagie, J. 2006. Regionally coherent trends in colonies of African penguins Spheniscus demersus in Western Cape, South Africa, 1987-2005. African Journal of Marine Science 28: 697-704.

Underhill, L. G., Kemper, J., Whittington, P. A. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 2000a. Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiacus moulting on Dassen Island, South Africa. Marine Ornithology 28: 121-122.

Underhill, L. G., Whittington, P. A., Crawford, R. J. M. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 2000b. Five years of monitoring African Penguins Spheniscus demersus after the Apollo Sea oil spill: a success story made possible by ringing. Vogelwarte 40: 215-218.

Whittington, P. A., Klages, N. T. W., Crawford, R. J. M., Wolfaardt, A. C. & Kemper, J. 2005a. Age at first breeding of the African Penguin. Ostrich 76: 14-20.

Whittington, P. A., Randall, R. M., Crawford, R. J. M., Wolfaardt, A. C., Klages, N. T. W., Randall, B. M., Bartlett, P. A., Chesselet, Y. & Jones, R. 2005c. Patterns of immigration to and emigration from breeding colonies by African penguins. African Journal of Marine Science 27: 206-213.

Whittington, P. A., Randall, R. M., Randall, B. M., Wolfaardt, A. C., Crawford, R. J. M., Klages, N. T. W., Bartlett, P. A., Chesselet, Y. & Jones, R. 2005b. Patterns of movements of the African penguin in South Africa and Namibia. African Journal of Marine Science 27: 216-229.

Wolfaardt, A. C. 1999. Dassen Island's penguins in the aftermath of Apollo Sea. Penguin Conservation 12: 22.

Wolfaardt, A. C. 2007. The effects of oiling and rehabilitation on the breeding productivity and annual moult and breeding cycles of African Penguins. PhD Thesis, University of Cape Town, Cape Town.

Wolfaardt AC, Underhill LG, Altwegg R, Visagie J. 2008a. Restoration of oiled African Penguins Spheniscus demersus a decade after the Apollo Sea spill. African Journal of Marine Science 30: 421-436.

Wolfaardt AC, Underhill LG, Altwegg R, Visagie J, Williams AJ. 2008b. The impact of the Treasure oil spill on African Penguins Spheniscus demersus at Dassen Island: case study of a rescue operation. African Journal of Marine Science 30: 405-419.

Wolfaardt, A. C., Underhill, L. G., Klages, N. T. W. & Crawford, R. J. M. 2001. Results of the 2001 census of African Penguins Spheniscus demersus: first measures of the impact of the Treasure oil spill on the breeding population. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa 56: 45-49.

Wolfaardt AC, Underhill LG, Nel DC, Williams AJ, Visagie J. 2008c. Breeding success of African Penguins Spheniscus demersus at Dassen Island, especially after oiling following the Apollo Sea spill. African Journal of Marine Science 30: 565-580.

Papers in press or submitted to refereed journals

Wolfaardt AC, Underhill LG, Crawford RJM. in press-a. Comparison of moult phenology of African Penguins Spheniscus demersus at Robben and Dassen Islands. African Journal of Marine Science. 31

Wolfaardt AC, Underhill LG, Visagie J. in press-b. Breeding and moult phenology of African Penguins Spheniscus demersus at Dassen Island. African Journal of Marine Science. 31

Wolfaardt AC, Williams AJ, Underhill LG, Crawford RJM, Whittington PA. in press-c. The rescue, rehabilitation, and restoration of oiled seabirds in South Africa, especially African Penguins Spheniscus demersus and Cape Gannets Morus capensis, 1983-2005. African Journal of Marine Science. 31

Papers or articles in other journals and chapters in books

Crawford, R.J.M., Fairweather, T., Underhill, L.G. & Wolfaardt, A.C., 2007a. Implications for seabirds of an unfavourable, long-term change in the distribution of prey: a South African experience. In Final Report of the BCLME (Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem) Project on Top Predators as Biological Indicators of Ecosystem Change in the BCLME, ed. S.P. Kirkman, pp. 243-249. Avian Demography Unit, Cape Town.

Crawford, R. J. M., Klages, N. T. W. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 2001a. South Africa's penguins on the rebound. MCM Headline 2: 4.

Crawford, R.J.M., Underhill, L.G., Coetzee, J.C., Fairweather, T., Shannon, L.J.,& Wolfaardt, A.C., 2007b. Influences of the abundance and distribution of prey on African Penguins Spheniscus demersus off western South Africa. In Final Report of the BCLME (Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem) Project on Top Predators as Biological Indicators of Ecosystem Change in the BCLME, ed. S.P. Kirkman, pp. 235-242. Avian Demography Unit, Cape Town.

De Klerk, H., Schutte-Vlok, A. L., Vlok, J., Shaw, K., Palmer, G., Martens, C., Viljoen, P., Marshall, T., N., W., Geldenhys, D., Wolfaardt, A. & Kirkwood, D. 2004. Ecological Fire Monitoring Manual. Western Cape Nature Conservation Board, Stellenbosch.

Luna, G., Hennicke, J., Wallace, R., Simeone, A., Wolfaardt, A. C., Whittington, P. A., Ellis, S. & McGovern, M. 2002. Spheniscus Penguin Conservation Workshop: Final Report. IUCN Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, Apple Valley, USA.

Whittington, P. A., Crawford, R. J. M., Huyser, O., Oschadleus, H. D., Randall, R. M., Ryan, P. G., Shannon, L. J., Wolfaardt, A. C., Cooper, J., Lacy, R. & Ellis, S. (eds). 2000. African Penguin Population and Habitat Viability Assessment. Final Report. IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Breeding Group, Apple Valley, MN, USA.

Whittington, P. A., Griffin, J., Bartlett, P., Crawford, R. J. M., Klages, N. T. W., Randall, R. M. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 2006. An investigation into inter-colony movements of African Penguins Spheniscus demersus. In: Waterbirds around the world. Boere, G. C., Galbraith, C. A. & Stroud, D. A. (eds). pp. 224-225. The Stationery Office, Edinburgh, U.K.

Whittington, P. A., Nel, D. C. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 2003. Counting the cost: Is cleaning oiled penguins worth the effort? Africa Birds and Birding 8: 30-33.

Whittington, P. A. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 1999. The avifauna of Dassen Island. Bird Numbers 8: 8-11.

Wolfaardt, A. C. 1999. Beach debris dynamics and effects at Dassen Island, off the west coast of South Africa. BSc Honours Thesis, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch.

Wolfaardt, A. C. 2000. Dassen Island Nature Reserve Management Plan. Cape Nature Conservation, Cape Town.

Wolfaardt, A. C. 2004. The dynamics of beach debris and its effects at Dassen Island. Jakkalsfontein Post 12: 8-10.

Wolfaardt, A. C. 2005. The predatory pelicans of Dassen Island. Jakkalsfontein Post 13: 6-8.

Wolfaardt, A. C. 2006. Seal predation of gannets at Lamberts Bay. Jakkalsfontein Post 13: 5-8.

Wolfaardt, A. C., Erasmus, Z. & Rossouw, D. 1998. Seabird rescue plan in the event of an oil spill at Dassen Island. Cape Nature Conservation, Cape Town.

Wolfaardt, A. C. & Nel, D. C. 2003. Breeding productivity and annual cycle of rehabilitated African Penguins following oiling. In: Rehabilitation of African Penguins following oiling: a conservation success story. Nel, D. C. & Whittington, P. A. (eds). pp. 18-24. BirdLife South Africa and the Avian Demography Unit, Cape Town.

Wolfaardt, A. C. & Williams, A. J. 2006. Sealed off. Predation threatens seabirds and tourism. Africa Birds and Birding 11: 60-67.

Published Conference Proceedings

Wolfaardt, A. C. 2004. The capture and removal of clean penguins from Dassen Island. pp. 8-13 in Kuyper, S. & Williams, A. J. (eds). Proceedings of the penguin workshop following the sinking of the Treasure in June 2000. Avian Demography Unit, University of Cape Town.

Wolfaardt, A. C., Nel, D. C., Williams, A. J., Whittington, P. A. & Crawford, R. J. M. 2004. Measuring success - prior lessons review. pp. 35-39 in Kuyper, S. & Williams, A. J. (eds). Proceedings of the penguin workshop following the sinking of the Treasure in June 2000. Avian Demography Unit, University of Cape Town

Published Conference Abstracts

Crawford, R. J. M., Davis, S. A., Harding, R. T., Jackson, L. F., Leshoro, T. M., Meÿer, M. A., Randall, R. M., Underhill, L. G., Upfold, L., Van Dalsen, A. P., Van der Merwe, E., Whittington, P. A., Williams, A. J. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 2000a. Assessment of the initial impact of the Treasure oil spill on the African Penguin off western South Africa. International Wader Study Group Conference, Norwich, U.K.

Crawford, R. J. M., Davis, S. A., Harding, R. T., Jackson, L. F., Leshoro, T. M., Meÿer, M. A., Randall, R. M., Underhill, L. G., Upfold, L., Van Dalsen, A. P., Van der Merwe, E., Whittington, P. A., Williams, A. J. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 2000b. Assessment of the initial impact of the Treasure oil spill on the African Penguin off western South Africa. Tenth Pan-African Ornithological Congress, Entebbe, Uganda.

Crawford, R. J. M., Hemming, M., Kemper, J., Klages, N. T. W., Randall, R. M., Underhill, L. G., Venter, A. D., Ward, V. L. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 2002. Molt of the African Penguin Spheniscus demersus in relation to its breeding season and food availability. XXIII International Ornithological Congress, Beijing, China.

Kirkwood, D., Manuel, J., Pence, G., Ralston, S. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 2007. A single GIS product to guide landuse in the Western Cape. In: Proceedings of the 30th Fynbos Forum: How well are we doing? Threatened habitat conservation: targets and management. Club Mykonos, Langebaan, South Africa, 01-03 August 2007, 62 pp.

Newman, S. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 2004. How effective is the rehabilitation of oiled seabirds? Society of Conservation Biology seminar: Urbanizing landscapes, Conservation and Ecology of Emerging Diseases. New York, USA.

Ryan, P. G., Wolfaardt, A. C., Whittington, P. A., Crawford, R. J. M. & Underhill, L. G. 2003. Estimating the demographic benefits of rehabilitating oiled African Penguins. 7th International Effects of Oil on Wildlife Conference. Hamburg, Germany, 14-16 October 2003.

Underhill, L. G., Wolfaardt, A. C. & Crawford, R. J. M. 2007. Patterns of moult seasonality of African Penguins on Robben and Dassen Islands, South Africa. In: Woehler, E. J. (ed). Abstracts of oral and poster presentations, 6th International Penguin Conference. Hobart, Australia, 3-7 September 2007, 160 pp.

Whittington, P. A., Crawford, R. J. M., Dyer, B. M., Gildenhuys, A., Nel, D. C., Oatley, T. B., Thornton, M., Underhill, L. G., Upfold, L., Williams, A. J. & Wolfaardt, A. C. 1998. The rehabilitation of oiled African Penguins: a success story. International Ornithological Congress. Durban, South Africa.

Whittington, P. A., Wolfaardt, A. C. & Underhill, L. G. 2003. Post release survival and breeding of rehabilitated African Penguins. 7th International Effects of Oil On Wildlife Conference. Hamburg, Germany 14-16 October 2003.

Wolfaardt, A. C., Crawford, R. J. M., Underhill, L. G., Whittington, P. A. & Williams, A. J. 2003a. Assessment of the impact of the Treasure Oil spill on seabirds off western South Africa, with particular emphasis on the efficacy of translocating penguins during the spill. International Effects of Oil on Wildlife Conference. Hamburg, Germany, 14-16 October 2003.

Wolfaardt, A. C., Martens, C., Botha, M. & Gerber, G. 2002. Partnerships and Incentives for conservation in priority areas of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR). Fynbos Forum Conference. Rawsonville, South Africa.

Wolfaardt, A. C., Nel, D. C., Whittington, P. A., Crawford, R. J. M., Underhill, L. G., Ryan, P. G., Parsons, N. & Williams, A. J. 2003b. Rehabilitation of oiled African Penguins: a conservation success story. South African Wildlife Management Association Conference, Ganzekraal, Western Cape. (Awarded best presentation at the conference)

Wolfaardt, A. C., Underhill, L. G., Whittington, P. A., Nel, D. C., Crawford, R. J. M., Williams, A. J. & Ryan, P. G. 2004. Rehabilitation of oiled African Penguins: a conservation success story. Fifth International Penguin Conference. Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina 6-10 September 2004.

Wolfaardt, A. C., Underhill, L. G. & Williams, A. J. 2007. Long-term restoration success of African Penguins de-oiled following the Apollo Sea oil spill. In: Woehler, E. J. (ed). Abstracts of oral and poster presentations, 6th International Penguin Conference. Hobart, Australia, 3-7 September 2007, 160 pp.

Wolfaardt, A. C., Whittington, P. A., Underhill, L. G., Williams, A. J., Nel, D. C. & Crawford, R. J. M. 1999. The effects of the Apollo Sea oil spill and subsequent rehabilitation programme on African Penguins. Southern African Wildlife Management Association, George, South Africa.