Found a bird? Contact our 24-hour Seabird Rescue Centre
Give me a chance –
to discover the world ...
to save my species from extinction
HELP US SAVE MORE SEABIRDS
or adopt an egg or chick
undergoing rehabilitation
for release back into the wild
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VOLUNTEER
If you care about the survival of the African penguin – South Africa’s unique and endearing waddling seabird – please join in now to help us complete our new seabird hospital in Table View.
Every year, around 2,500 seabird patients (most of them endangered African penguins) are treated here and released back into the wild. Without our ground breaking penguin chick rescue and hand rearing programme, the species would be declining at an even more alarming rate. And with fewer than 22,000 breeding pairs left in the wild, we can’t let that happen.
But our current seabird centre lacks the modern facilities, equipment and capacity that would help us save more lives. As you probably know, work on a new seabird hospital began last year – and we’re almost there.
With help from people like you, who are passionate about conservation and saving endangered species from the slide to extinction – we can raise the final critical funding to complete the building. Please will you donate now?
Your gift of R250, R500, or more will help fill the vital gap between the funds already secured and what is needed to complete the new seabird hospital – with its state-of-the-art surgery, ICU, X-ray room, pens, pools and specialised washing/rinsing/drying bay for oiled seabirds.
If your donation helped save just one endangered African penguin, it would be worth it. But your contribution will help save thousands of seabirds in the years ahead. So please give as generously as you can now, so we can complete the project on time.
For more information, contact Hedwich tulp on 021 557 6155 or email hedwich@sanccob.co.za
Rescued, rehabilitated and hand reared African penguins are released back into the wild almost every week (above).
(Below) With help from conservation aware people like you, our efficient new Table View Seabird Centre will open mid 2018.
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
Avian Influenza affects seabirds in the wild The H5N8 strain of the avian influenza virus has been detected in a…
SANCCOB’s First Penguin Blood Transfusion – Penguin Becomes Valentine Hero SANCCOB has performed its first penguin blood transfusion and saved…
Special message from SANCCOB’s Chief Executive Officer Dear SANCCOB Supporters I hope you are well and some of you are…
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
