Found a bird? Contact our 24-hour Seabird Rescue Centre
or adopt an egg or chick
undergoing rehabilitation
for release back into the wild
CLICK FOR MORE
VOLUNTEER
ive your lovebird a penguin pledge for Valentine’s Day.
Every year we double up the love and promote our penguin pair adoption for the month of February for a unique Valentine’s gift – yes, two penguins so that you and your special person can share the love.
For the usual R600 contribution, you can adopt and name two penguins undergoing rehabilitation at our centres; one for yourself and the other to gift a loved one with an individual certificate of adoption.
This fun gift also has a very serious aspect. SANCCOB is a place of hope for the endangered African penguin species and for a variety of coastal birds in southern Africa. When you adopt a penguin, you give a life-saving gift that makes an impact far beyond your certificate. Fish for feeds, specialised veterinary care and rehabilitation at SANCCOB are all made possible by donations received so if you adopt a penguin today then you are helping us get them back to the wild to bolster the species.
The most recent population count of African penguin breeding pairs reflects approximately 20,700 and every bird counts at this concerning time. The lack of fish, habitat destruction, pollution, predation and climate change are all the factors preventing the species from thriving.
By ‘adopting’ a pair of penguins this Valentine’s month, together we can reverse the decline and save this highly endangered species.
You can’t take ‘your’ penguins home and yes, one day they will be released but you will have the fulfilment of knowing that you gave the penguin pair a chance to live a natural life in the wild, where they belong.
If you adopt today, you’ll receive two Adoption Certificates with a picture and short history of each bird, as well as special thank you letters from ‘your’ penguins. Keep one for yourself and give the other to your loved one as a meaningful gift this Valentine’s month.
Don’t delay – this special 2-for-1 penguin adoption package ends 28 February 2019.
There’s a chance that when next you visit the Boulders Beach, Stony Point or Robben Island penguin colonies, you may very well spot your penguin pair enjoying the life and freedom you’ve helped to give them.
Thank you sincerely,
Dr Stephen van der Spuy
Chief Executive Officer
BE PART OF THE NEXT RESCUE
Last winter, caring supporters like you helped us save 30 oiled penguins and their 4 chicks from Bird and St Croix Islands.
The birds were taken to our seabird centre in Cape St Francis, where trained staff and volunteers washed, fed and cared for them for 4-6 weeks, while they regained their strength and the natural waterproofing of their feathers.
The chicks, which were less than three weeks old and weighed only 500 grams, were hand-reared at SANCCOB. All 34 birds were successfully released back into the wild.
WHAT WE DO
SANCCOB saves seabirds
RESCUE
SANCCOB provides a 24/7 rescue service for sick and injured seabirds and abandoned chicks. We respond to oil spill disasters along the South African coastline.
REHABILITATION
SANCCOB is recognised internationally as a leader in the field of seabird rehabilitation. We treat 2500 injured, sick and oiled seabirds annually.
CHICK REARING
Our specialist chick rearing unit saves African penguin eggs and chicks that have been abandoned, for subsequent release back into the wild.
EDUCATION
We offer various engaging lessons for children and adults, including tours of the facilities, presentations and encounters with our Ambassador penguins.
TRAINING
We offer 3 and 6 month internships for adults, as well as a zoo and aquarium keeper exchange programme and veterinary experience courses.
RESEARCH
Ongoing research increases our understanding of seabird species’ behaviour, diseases and other factors that impact on their long-term survival.
LATEST NEWS
Penguin Festival in Simon’s Town today SANCCOB hosts its 16th annual Penguin Festival in Simon’s Town on Saturday, 10 November,…
Cape St Francis volunteers and staff from left: Jeanette Muller, Penny Brown, Jane Coultas, Rhiannon Gill, Adele Cummings, Elaine Lester,…
During National Wills Week from 17 to 21 September 2018, you can get a basic Will drafted free of charge…
HOW TO HELP
FOUND A BIRD?
all us any time of the day or night. SANCCOB is a 24-hour Seabird Rescue Centre and will respond to all seabirds in distress, including African Penguins, Cape Gannets, Terns, Cormorants, Seagulls, Oystercatchers, Albatrosses, Petrels, Pelicans and other marine birds.
CAPE TOWN
+27 (0)21 557 6155
+27 (0) 78 638 3731 (after hours & weekends)
PORT ELIZABETH
+27 (0)41 583 1830
Depending on the nature of the injury and the location of the seabird, we will dispatch one of our own Rescue Units, offer stabilisation advice or put you in contact with the nearest organisation that can assist.
What to do when you find an injured/sick/oiled seabird:
- Please approach any seabird with care – some, such as Cape Gannets and African Penguins, have sharp beaks.
- Have with you a towel or blanket and wear protection over your hands and eyes.
- Throw the towel or blanket over the bird to catch it, ensuring that the bird is able to breathe.
- Place the bird in a large box if you have one, after first ensuring that there are holes for air.
- Keep the bird in a warm quiet place until help arrives
