The first signs that the Strandfontein oil spill has affected wildlife are emerging. On the 1st of February 2025, an endangered oiled Cape Gannet carcass washed up on the beach in Strandfontein. Unfortunately, it was too decomposed to determine the cause of death and whether it was due to the oil spill. On the 2nd of February 2025, an oiled White-fronted Plover was sighted on Strandfontein cliffs, however has not been caught.
These sightings highlight the importance of monitoring for signs of affected wildlife after a spill has occurred. Oiled birds can often still fly and may only be recovered when they become too weak to fly and, in many instances, they may never be found. Regular monitoring on both sides of the Olifants River estuary, within Strandfontein and further South including the endangered Cape Gannet colony at Bird Island Nature Reserve in Lamberts Bay, continues by CapeNature. No oiled wildlife has been reported beyond Strandfontein.
Despite SANCCOB reporting the oiled Plover and oiled Cape Gannet carcass to the relevant authorities, it remains a concern that oiled wildlife response is an after-thought. We fear that there may be further impacts to seabirds and marine species that may have gone undetected.
The public is advised not to handle or capture birds and is requested to report any sightings of oiled seabirds immediately to SANCCOB Cape Town at 021 557 6155 (office hours) / 078 638 3731 (after-hours).
