FORD Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) recently partnered with SANCCOB in an effort to help save the endangered African penguin.
The Ford Wildlife Foundation (FWF), which was established in 2014, provided 4×4 Ranger Double Cabs to partner organisations, such as the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB).
During a loan period of two years, the vehicles are monitored and serviced by Ford’s extensive dealer network to ensure that they operate at peak efficiency.
“It really is such an honour for us to be able to assist project teams with a Ford Ranger for the effective implementation of their environmental education, research, and conservation initiatives,” said Lynda du Plessis, manager of FWF.
“We currently have 25 Ford Rangers on loan to partner organisations,” she added.
“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank SANCCOB for their unwavering commitment to the care of our seabirds, particularly their tireless efforts to ensure the sustainability of the endangered African penguin, as well as three other endemic endangered seabirds – the Cape gannet, Cape cormorant, and bank cormorant.”
Resource development manager at SANCCOB, Hedwich Tulp, said that they were currently in a race against time.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the FWF and their loan of our amazing Ford Ranger. It is instrumental in allowing us to carry out some of our most important work, often in remote locations with challenging terrain,” Tulp said.
African penguin populations in the wild have declined by an alarming 95% over the past 200 years. From a global population of roughly four million birds at the beginning of the 19th century, to just 20 000 breeding pairs today, it is estimated that, at the current rate of decline, African penguins in the wild could be extinct within the next two decades.
There are many great opportunities for adults and kids alike to get involved in conservation efforts at the centre, through the contribution of funds, time, or talent.
For more information, visit www.sanccob.co.za.
