More than 60,000 African penguins have starved to death off South Africa's coast, says a new study. Over 95% of penguins in two key breeding colonies, Dassen Island and Robben Island, died between 2004 and 2012. The main cause is the disappearance of sardines, their vital food. Researchers say penguins likely starved while moulting when they cannot hunt and must rely on stored fat. According to Dr Richard Sherley from the University of Exeter, if penguins cannot find enough food before moulting, they cannot survive the fasting period and probably die at sea. Since 2004, sardine numbers off western South Africa have drastically dropped, falling to just 25% of their maximum in most years. This decline results from higher ocean temperatures, changed salt levels hurting sardine breeding, and continued heavy fishing. The African penguin population has plunged nearly 80% in 30 years. In 2024, the species was labelled critically endangered, with fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs left. Conservation measures include banning purse-seine fishing near six main breeding sites, building artificial nests, managing predators, and hand-rearing penguins in distress. Dr Azwianewi Makhado hopes these steps will help penguins get enough food during vital life stages. Marine expert Lorien Pichegru called the findings "extremely concerning". She warned that mismanagement of small fish stocks has lasted decades and urgent action is needed to save both African penguins and other wildlife reliant on these fish.