SANCCOB released their first group of rehabilitated African penguins on 6 June 2013 at Bird Island (Port Elizabeth) after amalgamating the rehabilitation centre in Cape St. Francis earlier this year. After a few stormy days in St Francis, the weather cleared and SANCCOB team received a call from SANParks authorising the go-ahead for the release.

On Tuesday night, 28 May 2013, SANCCOB (the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) inaugurated its new facility in Cape St. Francis. As announced earlier this year, Penguins Eastern Cape (PEC) has been successfully amalgamated with the world–renowned seabird conservation organization and will henceforth operate as SANCCOB St. Francis Centre at the facility next to the lighthouse. At a jam packed meet-and-greet event, held at the St. Francis Resort, penguin lovers from the region met old friend, made new ones, and were treated to a series of conservation-related talks.