NINETEEN more abandoned African penguin chicks were recently rescued from Bird Island and admitted to the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) in Nelson Mandela Bay.
This brought the total number of chicks at the centre to nearly 100.
According to SANCCOB marketing and fund-raising co-ordinator, Kirstie Paulse, these chicks were also admitted following rescue interventions by SANParks and a SANCCOB ranger when they were abandoned by their parents due to the flooding of nests after recent rainstorms across Algoa Bay.
“The smallest chick came in weighing at just 110 grams and weighed 130 grams by Thursday, April 28, 2022. Our rehabilitation team has thankfully reported that our latest admissions are doing quite well,” Paulse said.
“In addition, we are happy to report that seven of the eighty chicks that were admitted over recent weeks were approved for release and set free back onto Bird Island last Thursday.
The remaining chicks are also doing well health-wise and have become quite vocal, which is a good thing! These birds, although small in size, are consuming a whopping 60kg of fish daily,” she added.
She mentioned that the centre had called on the residents of Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounding areas, including businesses earlier this month to support them in trying to meet the needs of these chicks.
“The influx of new admission has increased our need for monetary donations even more. This is in order to purchase the critical supplies, including veterinary care, fish purchases, and rehabilitation consumables, while the birds are hand-reared at SANCCOB Gqeberha for the next three months. We rely heavily on your support.”
Readers are also offered the option of “adopting” a penguin at a certain cost as part of the donation options.
“By doing this, you can select one of the penguins in our centre, anyone you’d like, and adopt them at R600. This money then also goes towards their care, which includes fish and veterinary care while they are in our care,” Paulse added.
- For more information on donations or to receive updates on the condition of the chicks, readers can visit the SANCCOB website at www.sanccob.co.za or contact Paulse on 041 583 1830.
– ISSUED BY SANCCOB
