Endangered African penguins under threat from tourism Endangered African penguins go through a molting phase during late December and early January, which sees them losing their old feathers and getting new ones. During this process, the penguins also lose an oily residue which places them at risk if they enter the ocean. Forced interaction by tourists during the peak summer season is accelerating the endangerment of these penguins as they flee for cover in the ocean, local conservationists say. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES