African Penguin Awareness Day
African Penguin Awareness Day is held on October 13. All 17 species of penguins live in the southern hemisphere, but only three species live year-round in Antarctica. This event in the second decade of the month October is annual. 
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Penguins are a barometer of the effects of human activity on the poles, according to scientists from institutions around the world. Raising awareness about them, therefore, is seen by many as a way to communicate with people about the impending dangers of climate change.
African Penguin Awareness Day is celebrated worldwide each year with the aim of raising awareness around the plight of African penguins and their rapid decline in numbers. African penguins are the only penguin species found on the African continent. In the last century, their numbers have declined dramatically and current estimates suggest that there are only between 60 000 and 70 000 individual birds left in the wild - this, when their population numbers were in the millions at the turn of the 20th century. With less than 20 000 breeding pairs currently left, scientists estimate that if their numbers continue to decline at the current rate, these charismatic and endemic birds will be functionally extinct in the wild within 15 to 20 years.
Similar holidays and events, festivals and interesting facts
Fall World Migratory Bird Day on October 12 (Held on the second Saturday of May and October with the support of the United Nations Environment Program - UNEP);
Tiger Day on October 15
Feral Cat Day on October 16 (Global Cat Day, Alley Cat Allies);
Hagfish Day on October 16 (Held on the third Wednesday of October);
Sloth International Day on October 19 (Celebrated on the third Saturday in October);
National Veterinary Technician Week in USA on October 20 (sponsored by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America);
National Pets for Veterans Day in USA on October 21