Found a bird? Contact our 24-hour Seabird Rescue Centre
or adopt an egg or chick
undergoing rehabilitation
for release back into the wild
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VOLUNTEER
We have commenced building of a new state-of-the-art rehabilitation pool with six associated pens for seabird patients at our Port Elizabeth centre in the Eastern Cape.
The new structure will provide a more efficient space for birds and day to day operations, and accommodate an improved flow of seabirds undergoing rehabilitation. For over 50 years we have rescued, rehabilitated oiled, injured, sick or abandoned seabirds and released them back to the wild where they belong.
Support our Build-A-Pool fundraising initiative to help us raise the funds needed.
With your support we can ensure that our Port Elizabeth (PE) centre has the most suitable amenities to rehabilitate seabird species admitted from South Africa’s east coast; mostly rescued from St Croix and Bird islands, where the largest populations of endangered African penguins and Cape gannets are found in the country.
An important step in the rehabilitation process of seabirds is sufficient access to water to swim. Swimming strengthens the birds and is a critical step for the waterproofing of their plumage. The six pens will each have its own access gate to the pool, which will enable rehabilitators to separate the seabirds based on their stage in the rehabilitation process.
If you donate today then you will be a partner in our lifesaving conservation work to reverse the decline of Southern African seabirds. Their future is in our hands!
At present, there is only one temporary rehabilitation pool and pen at our PE facility and two home pens, each with pools for resident African penguins and other seabirds deemed unfit for release. The brand new dedicated pool and pens will result in a better rehabilitation process, increased capacity to comfortably house more seabirds, and also make daily operational tasks easier for the staff and volunteers. There will be filtration for the pool to keep the water clean and reduce water consumption, roof to shelter seabird patients and drains for easy cleaning.
The large number of oiled seabirds admitted in July 2019 reiterated that the new structure is very necessary. With more than half of the global population of African penguins facing threats such as oil spill events, disease and lack of fish, SANCCOB is pulling out all the stops to make sure it continues to provide a place of healing and rehabilitation with specialist veterinary care to save seabirds in distress.
SANCCOB’s Build-A-Pool initiative target is R100,000.00 to supplement funding and is an opportunity for members of the public, corporates, trusts and foundations, and companies to donate and partner with us to complete the project.
R100,000.00 is not an easy ask but *JUST R100 EACH FROM 1,000 PEOPLE is all it takes!
The total cost of the project is just under R1.7million and seed funding of R770,000.00 from the National Lotteries Commission has allowed SANCCOB to break ground and set the construction of the pool and pens in motion.
*A donor board will be erected at the new structure to publicly acknowledge donations of R10,000.00 and more. Contact Hedwich@sanccob.co.za to find out more.
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.
Oiled Wildlife Preparedness & Response
SANCCOB works with various stakeholders to ensure authorities take appropriate preparedness action to mitigate oil spill risks off the South African coastline and responds to oiled marine wildlife.
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.
Penguin & Seabird Rangers
SANCCOB employs conservation staff in colonies in the Western Cape that are under the protection of conservation authorities to monitor seabirds, nests and habitats, and support critical research.
LATEST NEWS
Being equipped and ready to respond to an emergency situation concerning marine wildlife is not just about being prepared for…
The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) will host its 17th annual Penguin Festival on Saturday,…
Algoa Bay oil spill leads to oiled seabirds admitted to SANCCOB The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal…
HOW TO HELP
FOUND A BIRD?
Call 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
Tel: +27 (0)21 557 6155
Tel: +27 (0) 78 638 3731 (after hours & weekends)
Port Elizabeth
Tel: +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
