4. Discussion
Reproduction and survival are key demographic parameters impacting
population dynamics (Stearns 1992). We used mark-recapture techniques to
evaluate these parameters for the African penguin at two colonies and
confirmed the presence of reproductive skipping behaviour. We illustrate
that variation in survival is driven by food availability, with lower
sardine abundance linked to lower survival at Robben Island, and higher
survival at Stony Point. Similarly inter-colony differences were evident
in breeding propensity; reproductive skipping occurred at both colonies,
but at a higher rate at Robben Island than at Stony Point. Alongside
providing key demographic information on the endangered African penguin,
this study represents the first reliable estimates of reproductive
skipping in this species.