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 relies on enthusiastic volunteers to assist our rehabilitation team in caring for our birds. Send an email to volunteers@sanccob.co.za or a WhatsApp message to +27 76 682 5130 or click here to learn more about how you can help save seabirds.
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 work with the conservation authorities in the wild seabird colonies, helping to monitor the birds and rescue any seabirds in need.
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.
High Court victory for the Critically Endangered African Penguin
BirdLife South Africa and SANCCOB today secured a historic victory for South Africa’s Critically Endangered African Penguin when the Pretoria High Court issued an order of court after a hard-won settlement agreement was reached by the two conservation NGOs with commercial sardine and anchovy purse-seine fishers (subsequently endorsed by the State). The order provides for the delineations of no-take zones for the commercial sardine and anchovy fishery around six key African Penguin breeding colonies that lie within coastal areas where this commercial fishery operates. The six closures work together to secure biologically meaningful foraging areas for African Penguins in each of the west coast, southern Cape and Algoa Bay regions to help bring the species back from the brink of extinction. This settlement follows several weeks of exceptionally hard work and negotiations between the conservation NGOs and the commercial sardine and anchovy fishing industry.
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.
Education and Visitor Centre open, come and visit us!
At SANCCOB Cape Town, construction of an Education and Visitor Centre is underway to offer a multi-purpose facility on the premises in Table View. We remain open and available to receive visitors. Guests may access the premises via the pedestrian gate at the parking area on Pentz Drive. The construction work is estimated to be carried out for a maximum of eight months and thus complete in July 2024.
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.
Seabird Rangers
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.
Contact Us
Cape Town, Western Cape
Gqeberha, Eastern Cape
Click Here for Other Wildlife
For seals contact the SPCA
For turtles contact the Two Oceans Aquarium
Click Here for Other Wildlife
For stranded seals, dolphins, whales and turtles contact Bayworld
Sign Up To Our Newsletter
Subscribe via the button below to receive news and updates.
2025 © Copyright SANCCOB | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
Managed > mycalture