{"id":297022,"date":"2026-04-28T15:49:48","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T13:49:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gqeberha-sanccob-responds-to-surge-in-abandoned-penguin-chicks\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T16:01:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T14:01:13","slug":"gqeberha-sanccob-responds-to-surge-in-abandoned-penguin-chicks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/gqeberha-sanccob-responds-to-surge-in-abandoned-penguin-chicks\/","title":{"rendered":"Gqeberha SANCCOB responds to surge in abandoned penguin chicks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

GQEBERHA \u2013 <\/strong>The Eastern Cape has become the frontline in a growing conservation crisis, as the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) responds to a record number of abandoned African penguin eggs and chicks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once a stronghold for this endangered species, the region is now at the centre of urgent efforts to rescue, rehabilitate and ultimately return vulnerable penguins to the wild.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driven by a combination of extreme heat and food shortages, penguin parents in the Algoa Bay colonies are being forced to abandon their nests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Eastern Cape, the situation is increasingly dire due to unpredictable flooding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In one recent rescue operation near Gqeberha, 46 chicks were saved after their nests were completely washed away, leaving the vulnerable birds separated from their parents and with no safe ground to return to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For SANCCOB<\/a>, the local support from Ford South Africa and the Ford Wildlife Foundation is vital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n