Found a bird? Contact our 24-hour Seabird Rescue Centre
Watch this video of our fundraising campaign to build a new seabird hospital at
SANCCOB’s Cape Town Centre, and help us save more seabirds.
or adopt an egg or chick
undergoing rehabilitation
for release back into the wild
CLICK FOR MORE
VOLUNTEER
Celebrate African Penguin Awareness Day at our 15th annual Penguin Festival in collaboration with SANParks (Table Mountain National Park).
Certain to appeal to everyone from kids and foodies to birders and conservationists, the event kicks off at 10h00 on Seaforth Beach with a release of rehabilitated African penguins. Witnessing the release of penguins back to the wild is a heart-warming and exclusive opportunity for festival guests.
What’s even more rewarding is knowing that it is your support that makes our vital African penguin conservation work possible.
After the penguin release, the festival continues at the Simon’s Town Navy Sports Fields, next to Seaforth Beach, with:
- live music
- kids’ activities (mini rides, inflatable obstacle course, face-painting, jumping castle, climbing wall)
- an edutainment marquee
- marine conservation exhibitions
- environmental talks
- delicious food
- craft beer & wine tasting
All proceeds go to SANCCOB’s African penguin conservation work. General admission is free, and entry into the Kids’ Zone is R50 per person. Please park at the Seaforth Beach parking area.
For more information, contact us on 021 557 6155 or our co-hosts, SANParks, on 021 786 2329.
Witness the never-to-be-forgotten sight of rehabilitated African penguins being released back into the wild, where they belong.
Then head off to the festival grounds for a day of fun for the whole family.
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
Two rand later, it’s back to penguin business! On Thursday, 14 September 2017, SANCCOB successfully released a rehabilitated African penguin…
SANCCOB Research SANCCOB is not only leading in seabird rehabilitation in southern Africa but is also involved in a number…
‘Big Cleanup’ marks one year to World Cleanup Day 2018 Covering nearly 1,500 kilometres of the South African coastline, the…
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)
CAPE ST FRANCIS
+27 (0)42 298 0160
+27 (0)82 890 0207 (after hours & weekends)
PORT ELIZABETH
+27 (0)41 583 1830
+27 (0) 64 019 8936 (after hours & weekends)
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
