The African penguin breeds on 24 islands and 3 mainland sites in South Africa and Namibia. On one island, named Dassen Island, the adult African penguin population was estimated to be about 1.4 million in 1910. According to BirdLife International www.birdlife.org the current world population, including Dassen Island, is estimated to be 52,000. Dassen Island houses the second largest population of African penguins. Between 1910 and 1956, it was estimated that up to 48% of the African penguin eggs were collected and harvested as food.  The eggs were a source of protein and considered a delicacy. This practice ended in 1968. Even though it is more than 40 years later; the lack of the ability for the population to replenish itself annually caused declines that the African penguin has not been able to recover from.-Pamela Schaller