An African Penguin. [File photo]

Conservation authorities decided to introduce the artificial nest boxes about five years ago, in an attempt to stop the decline of the African Penguin population along the Southern African Coastline.

"A percentage of the population of African Penguins nests simply on the ground. So they'll have have a bit of an impression on the ground," Justin Buchman said.

"They'll gather plant material around and they'll create an open nest. Other penguins for whatever reason we don't understand simply burrow. The idea of The initial boxes were just concrete pipes in the ground or bits of planking put together. We've now got to the stage where we've got a glass fibre mould which we're testing. It hasn't proven to be too successful. But we're trying to find out the reasons why and improve that design, to ensure that we have a far greater nesting success. And that the penguins use far more of them."

"The penguin as we know it is really an amazing animal because it has to live on land and in the ocean. So they are almost a magical species for people to be able to see. And to get to see them this close is really a special privilege. As a conservationist, to be responsible for a population that's really in decline, a population that's chosen by its own design to be this close to us, its an amazing privilege. And we'll do our best to protect them," Paddy Golding said.

Boulders Beach has become a major tourist attraction near Cape Town, with over 600-thousand visitors flocking there annually to get as close as possible to these burrow-nesting birds, without disturbing their natural habitat.

We came to see the penguins today. We've only seen them on TV. But it's a very beautiful sight. And I hope they're going to do something about conserving them."

"It's a lovely experience to be able to see them and I hope one day I can bring my children here, also to see them.

The possibility of my kids not seeing these animals is absolutely heartbreaking. They're having a terrific experience enjoying them. So, I hope that generations to come can enjoy these beautiful animals.