Conservation, Nov. 9, 2021, 8 a.m.

New Visitor Centre for SANCCOB Cape Town

Author: SANCCOB

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our newest fundraising campaign to build a Visitor Centre at the SANCCOB Cape Town centre.

The new development will offer a multi-purpose facility on the premises that will house a large educational space, meeting room, coffee shop and souvenir shop.
 
By expanding our education reach and product offer, we are geared to improve our self-sustainability in the years ahead and thus strengthen our seabird rehabilitation service. On days where no educational activities are scheduled, we will avail the venue for veterinary workshops, conferences, meetings and events, and the coffee shop is sure to be popular with its view of the Rietvlei Nature Reserve and Table Mountain backdrop. 
 

SANCCOB's Education Department reaches hundreds of school learners annually through its formal education programme and on-site school visits from education institutions in Cape Town. Young people learn about marine conservation, recycling practices, and how to be custodians of our natural resources. Help us reach further, teach more and be more self-sustainable.
 
If you want to support this project then donate here or email Ronnis Daniels at Ronnis@sanccob.co.za. 


Register for our Annual General Meeting
Join us for SANCCOB's Annual General Meeting to be held online via Zoom on Wednesday, 10 November 2021, at 7pm GMT+2. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR.
Another year of incredible successes, as well as challenges has gone by, and we will share updates with you from all our departments at SANCCOB in Cape Town and Gqeberha. Please email tonia@sanccob.co.za for enquiries.


Avian Influenza outbreak
A serious outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is currently affecting endangered Cape cormorants along the coast of the Western Cape of South Africa. In the worst-affected colonies, thousands of birds have already died from the disease. HPAI is a highly contagious viral disease of birds with no curative or preventative treatment.
 
Sadly, the mortality rate is estimated to be well over 15,000 individuals. These numbers would be devastating to any species, but this is particularly problematic for an endangered species. The H5N1 strain of HPAI virus was detected in wild birds in the Western Cape in May 2021, mainly affecting gulls. The first Cape cormorants were only diagnosed with this disease in mid-September and cases increased very rapidly from 11 October 2021. Mitigation measures in progress include the safe removal of carcasses and sick birds. Sadly, treating affected birds is futile and poses a serious risk of disease spread so sick birds are euthanised. Read more here.

 
Abandoned African penguin chicks
120 African penguin chicks were rescued at the Stony Point penguin colony in Betty's Bay by SANCCOB and CapeNature due to abandonment by moulting parents. CapeNature, the managing authority, carries out regular monitoring of chicks and their overall body conditions, and chicks that present as being underweight or who have absent parents in their nests are removed. Without this important intervention, these chicks would die and as an endangered species we proactively rescue these abandoned young birds. African penguins undergo an annual moult and during this time they cannot enter the ocean without their waterproof plumage, so chicks that haven't fledged are sadly not fed. This can lead to emaciation, dehydration and anaemia, and with only an estimated 10,300 breeding pairs of African penguins left in the wild in South Africa, their survival is critical for the species. This year we are simultaneously navigating the devastating disease outbreak of Avian Influenza affecting seabirds in the wild so the chicks have been placed in a temporary quarantine facility. You can donate here to support their care.


 


As part of SANCCOB's planning and preparedness, we reached out to Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL), who provided their oil spill response base in Durbanville to house the chicks until lab results reveal whether they are positive or negative for Avian Influenza. If negative, the chicks will be transported to SANCCOB Cape Town for hand-rearing.
 
In the upcoming months we need your support to provide high quality veterinary care, sufficient food and supplements while we hand-rear these chicks until ready for release back into the wild.
Read more here


SANCCOB appoints Head of Conservation
Nicky Stander will take up the position of Head of Conservation at SANCCOB to lead in the strategic development and management of all conservation aspects, including rehabilitation, veterinary, oiled wildlife preparedness and response, research and advocacy. The newly created role aims to ensure strong coordination between the different thematic pillars within the organisation, both in the Western and Eastern Cape to maximise our conservation efforts for southern Africa's seabird populations. The new role is an important one for SANCCOB, its stakeholders and most importantly, seabirds. Nicky shared that after 11 years with the organisation, she is cognisant of the devastating downward trajectory many of our seabird species are on. SANCCOB has developed an ambitious strategy and Nicky says she remains optimistic for the future of seabirds because the SANCCOB team is committed and adaptive.


Thank You!
Thank you to all who participated in our annual Virtual Penguin Run and attended our African Penguin Awareness Day initiatives in Cape Town and Gqeberha! 10 runners received their gifted penguin adoption certificates and centre visitors won SANCCOB merchandise by supporting our raffles in Cape Town.
 
We are also grateful for the donations and volunteer support received during the rehabilitation of emaciated African penguin chicks rescued from Bird Island and cared for at SANCCOB Gqeberha. Almost all birds have been released since admission on 20 August to bolster the wild population


Adopt, don't shop!
As we approach the busy festive season, we have our own kind of busyness at the SANCCOB centres the with admission of abandoned African penguin chicks, whose parents have started their annual moult. Penguin adoptions make excellent festive gifts and will be a huge help to support the costs of fishy feeds and veterinary care. Adopt and name a penguin here now and give someone special a meaningful gift.
 

                      


Volunteering and Learning
Perhaps you have the time to spare and the heart to help then reach out today to join our team. We have volunteer and internship opportunities at our centres in Cape Town and Gqeberha, as well as a veterinary experience programme. Whether you are considering the fields of conservation or veterinary studies or have already completed your qualification, there is a place for everyone to learn and contribute at SANCCOB. Get in touch with Brittany at volunteers@sanccob.co.za for more information.


Here are ways to Get Involved

  • Visit our Online Shop to find the perfect penguin-themed treat for yourself or loved ones.
  • Book a tour of the SANCCOB centres to learn about seabird conservation up close and personal. Contact taryn@sanccob.co.za for Gqeberha and alex@sanccob.co.za for Cape Town.
  • If you represent a trust or foundation, or group of companies, seeking an organisation such as ours to fund marine wildlife conservation or education then please email ronnis@sanccob.co.za.
  • Become a SANCCOB Member and add your voice to seabird conservation (special rates available for senior citizens). Email tonia@sanccob.co.za for more information.
  • Start your own fundraising drive for SANCCOB on Backabuddy and set a target to encourage family and friends to help you meet it. 
  • Leave a gift in your Will to SANCCOB and let us know your intention so we can connect and make sure your legacy lives on via SANCCOB. Contact tonia@sanccob.co.za.
  • Select SANCCOB as one of your three beneficiaries on your MySchool loyalty card and we will benefit from every swipe you make at participating retailers. 

Categories