Veterinary treatment at SANCCOB is dedicated to reducing pain and suffering and treating seabirds in need so that they can have a second chance at a healthy life in the wild. Our veterinary team treats seabirds with ailments which include physical injuries, malnutrition and infectious diseases.

SANCCOB has two seabird hospitals which are registered with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) In Cape Town, where we have a full-time clinical veterinarian, we can complete almost all our diagnostic and veterinary treatment in-house with on-site X-ray facilities and two surgical theatres and ICU rooms. SANCCOB Gqeberha houses a more modest surgical theatre where minor surgical procedures are performed onsite, and, we have partnered with a local veterinary clinic for X-rays and more complex procedures. 

Depending on the reason for admission of the individual patient, the veterinary team will diagnose, draw up a treatment plan with the rehabilitation team and monitor each patient’s response to treatment. It is possible to treat and rehabilitate severely injured seabirds, providing rapid rescue and transfer to SANCCOB’s seabird hospital.

A high percentage of the seabirds admitted are abandoned African Penguin chicks. Many abandoned chicks arrive in poor body condition suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, anaemia and parasite infestations. These cases require prompt veterinary evaluation and treatment to address these problems.