Between 1956 and 1995, the African Penguin Spheniscus demersus population at Possession Island decreased by 96% from 23 245 breeding pairs to 895 pairs. At adjacent North Reef, African Penguins ceased breeding before December 1988. In 1956, 850 pairs bred there. At Possession Island, 22 441 pairs of penguins bred colonially in 1956, but there were only 360 pairs in colonies in 1995 - a decrease of 98%. By contrast, there were 804 solitary breeding pairs in 1956 and 535 in 1995 - a decrease of 33%. All colonies at the southern portion of Possession Island and that at North Reef were abandoned by 1986.