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
lready, 137 abandoned African penguin chicks have been admitted to our seabird centre. Over the next few weeks of summer, more chicks will be brought in from the penguin colonies – to be hand-reared by our highly trained staff.
We’ll do our utmost to save each and every chick. With fewer than 20 700 African penguin breeding pairs left in the wild, the survival of this highly endangered species depends on it.
But we can’t do it without your help. If you add together the cost of fish, veterinary supplies, water, electricity and nursing care, it costs around R100 per day to save just one chick!
R100 doesn’t sound like much. It’s not much. Especially when the survival of one of our most iconic seabird species is at stake. But that’s for just one chick for one day. And most chicks will need eight to ten weeks of care before they’re strong enough to survive in the wild on their own.
Please will you join together with other concerned individuals to help meet the cost of raising these precious African penguin chicks?
Your gift of R100 provides a rescued chick with food and care for a day. R700 will cover the cost of a week’s food and care. R500 pays for sardines for a week. Any amount – added to that donated by other caring people like you – makes a difference. So please act now and secure the future of this seabird population.
Since we began our Chick Bolstering Project, over 7 000 African penguin chicks have been saved – and released back into the wild where they belong. We’ve proven that this intervention has the power to stem the declining population of the endangered African penguin. If you will join forces with us now, we can end seabird extinction. Together!
Please consider making a contribution of any amount towards this vital conservation initiative. With so many penguin chicks being brought to our facility each week, every donation makes a difference and is highly appreciated.
Thank you for your support.
From tiny helpless fluffy chick (above) … to almost grown up enough to survive on its own in the wild (below) – this is what your contribution achieves.
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
Penguin Festival in Simon’s Town today SANCCOB hosts its 16th annual Penguin Festival in Simon’s Town on Saturday, 10 November,…
Cape St Francis volunteers and staff from left: Jeanette Muller, Penny Brown, Jane Coultas, Rhiannon Gill, Adele Cummings, Elaine Lester,…
During National Wills Week from 17 to 21 September 2018, you can get a basic Will drafted free of charge…
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)
PORT ELIZABETH
+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
