On Southern Africa’s desolate West Coast, a new born African penguin, Lucy, struggles for her life. She has just a ten percent chance of making it to adulthood and predators constantly lie in wait. Her parents have their hands full for the next four months, feeding and protecting her and her older brother. As they return from their daily fishing expeditions rogue seals ambush their fishing parties, stealing their hard won day’s catch and endangering the lives of their still dependent chicks. It’s no safer in the colony, scavenging Kelp Gulls watch carefully for any unguarded eggs or chicks … swooping in quickly and mercilessly at the first opportunity.

Life’s not easy for anyone on this coast … brutal bull fights break out constantly in the massive Cape Fur Seal colony on the mainland. Here, over 60 000 new born pups struggle to survive over-heating, being trampled underfoot, starvation and hunting parties of wily black-backed jackals. Parents, from the Gannet, Cormorant and Great White pelican colonies, hunt daily for their growing and demanding chicks … much of their work for nothing, as youngsters succumb to predators and the environment.

Following Lucy through the major challenges of her life we witness her first steps out of the nest, her first swim and her triumphant journey to independence - out on her own - in the dangerous ocean. Feisty and focused, she finally settles at Boulders Beach, a new colony in a cosy, protected bay. She is ready to start a family of her own … but the rogue seals are everywhere and tragedy can strike at any time at AFRICA’S PENGUIN ISLAND