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
ctober is the beginning of chick season at SANCCOB. Nearly 500 abandoned African penguin chicks are admitted to our facilities at this time every year, when their parents moult and are unable to enter the sea to fish for their young until their waterproof feathers have regrown.
Identifying, rescuing and hand-rearing these chicks at our seabird centres, is a successful conservation programme which has the power to stem the decline of the highly endangered African penguin.
But it takes time, skill, and a great deal of money … around R7 000 from admission to release for one chick. That’s why we have to turn to concerned people like you to help us pay for fish, veterinary treatment, 24-hour care, water and heating for the incubators.
In return, we offer you the incredible feeling of satisfaction of playing your part, when these rehabilitated African penguins are released back into the wild to live and breed as nature intended.
Please be part of this life-saving initiative, by making your donation online now. Thank you for caring!
From this … to this
in 6-8 weeks.
Share the moment as rehabilitated African penguins
are released back into the wild
to live and breed as nature intended.
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
Nik Rabinowitz joins SANCCOB’s donate-a-brick campaign Popular South African stand-up comedian, Nik Rabinowitz, has appealed to the public to help…
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…
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
