Since a mass abandonment incident in 2006, SANCCOB has rescued and hand-reared abandoned penguin chicks annually, leading to the establishment of a dedicated Chick Rearing Unit in 2011 at its Cape Town facility. This unit includes artificial incubators and specialised equipment for rearing penguin and seabird chicks.

Through SANCCOB’s African Penguin and Seabird Ranger project, nests are monitored in collaboration with conservation authorities. Interventions occur when eggs or chicks are abandoned—often due to adult penguins moulting, food shortages, or extreme weather. In urban colonies like Simon’s Town, eggs laid in unsafe areas are rescued and incubated, while parents are relocated to safer nesting sites.

SANCCOB’s partnerships with conservation management authorities is key to this project. The rangers attend specialised training at SANCCOB, which includes the safe collection and handling of abandoned African Penguin eggs and chicks, and correct transportation methods. Improper handling can cause serious harm, making proper protocols essential.

The Chick Rearing Unit is staffed by trained personnel and supported by interns, providing 24-hour care. Hatchlings are fed every three hours, and their health is closely monitored. Egg viability is assessed through a process called “candling,” and chicks are typically released into the wild three to four months after hatching. To date, SANCCOB has released nearly 8,000 chicks and rescued over 1,000 eggs.

This work supports the African Penguin Biodiversity Management Plan, where chick hand-rearing is recognised as a vital strategy for boosting the wild population.