This video, by Bright Trip, provides valuable insights into the historical and present-day threats facing the critically endangered African penguins. In particular, seabird researchers from SANCCOB and BirdLife South Africa weigh in on the most pressing issue contributing to Africa’s only penguin: competition for small pelagic fish with the commercial purse-seine fishing industry.
Be part of the solution, and add your voice to the OnlyOne petition
SANCCOB, together with BirdLife South Africa, have taken a crucial step to legally challenge the decision taken by the office of the Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment on the closures to fishing around key African Penguin breeding colonies.
SANCCOB Cape Town and Gqeberha centres rely on volunteer support to carry out operational tasks on a daily basis, 365 days a year. Please connect via volunteers@sanccob.co.za or WhatsApp via +27 76 682 5130.
Contact our 24-hour Seabird Rescue Centres
Cape Town: +27 21 557 6155 or +27 78 638 3731 (After Hours)
Gqeberha: +27 41 583 1830 or +27 64 019 8936 (After Hours)
Become a penguin parent! Penguin adoption donations support the rehabilitation, feeding and veterinary care of African penguins in SANCCOB's care. It makes a special gift too.
Feed a chick and save a life! Donate to African penguin and seabird conservation by supporting fish costs.
Rangers monitor and rescue seabirds in need of intervention
Whether you are interested in a career in conservation or have free time to assist and learn new skills, you will play a valuable role at SANCCOB's centres in Cape Town and Gqeberha.
African penguin eggs are incubated at SANCCOB's Chick Rearing Unit until hatch day. When you adopt an egg you contribute to keeping it warm and safe in our care until a tiny penguin chick is hatched.
LANDMARK LITIGATION LAUNCHED TO PROTECT THE AFRICAN PENGUIN FROM EXTINCTION
SANCCOB, together with BirdLife South Africa (BLSA), have taken a bold and crucial step to legally challenge the decision taken by the office of the Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), who has implemented no-take fishing zones for a period of 10 years around six key African penguin breeding colonies. These closures are aimed at reducing the competition between African penguins and the commercial small pelagic fisheries; however, the closures implemented are inadequate in size and we do not foresee them providing a meaningful benefit for the species.
Biodiversity Law Centre (BLC): “The BLC initiated landmark litigation in the Pretoria High Court in the interests of Africa’s only penguin species: the Critically Endangered African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus). Instituted against the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the applicants’ challenge seeks the review and setting aside of the Minister’s 4 August 2023 decision on the closures to fishing around key African Penguin breeding colonies, instead of biologically meaningful closures.
The African Penguin faces extinction in the wild by 2035 if more is not done to curb the current rate of population decline. The crisis is driven primarily by their lack of access to prey, for which they must compete with the commercial purse-seine fishery which continues to catch sardine and anchovy in the waters surrounding the six largest African Penguin breeding colonies. Critically, these six colonies are home to an estimated 90% of South Africa’s African Penguins.” READ FULL MEDIA RELEASE HERE.
Follow our updates here.
SANCCOB is a registered non-profit organisation with the primary objective to reverse the decline of seabird populations through the rescue, rehabilitation and release of ill, injured, abandoned and oiled seabirds – especially critically endangered species like the African penguin.
What We Do
Saving southern Africa’s seabirds since 1968.
Rescue
SANCCOB provides a 24/7 rescue service for sick and injured seabirds and abandoned seabird 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 an average of 2,500 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.
Preparedness and Response
SANCCOB works with various stakeholders to ensure authorities take appropriate preparedness action to mitigate oil spill risks.
Education
We offer various engaging lessons for children and adults, including tours of the facilities, presentations and interactive, learning programmes for school groups.
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.
Colony First Responders
SANCCOB employs conservation staff in colonies in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape of South Africa that are under the protection of conservation authorities to monitor seabirds.
What We Do
Saving southern Africa’s seabirds since 1968.
Rescue
SANCCOB provides a 24/7 rescue service for sick and injured seabirds and abandoned seabird 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 an average of 2,500 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.
Preparedness and Response
SANCCOB works with various stakeholders to ensure authorities take appropriate preparedness action to mitigate oil spill risks.
Education
We offer various engaging lessons for children and adults, including tours of the facilities, presentations and interactive, learning programmes for school groups.
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.
Colony First Responders
SANCCOB employs conservation staff in colonies in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape of South Africa that are under the protection of conservation authorities to monitor seabirds.
Get Involved
Whether you donate time, talent, items or cash, you will assist SANCCOB to make a difference to the survival of the critically endangered African penguin and other seabirds in distress.
We are passionate about seabird conservation and invite you to partner with us.