As African penguins inch closer to extinction, SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) is at the forefront of efforts to save the species.

The Chick Rearing Unit and Nursery at SANCCOB provide crucial care to abandoned penguin chicks, most of which are rescued from colonies in Simon’s Town and Stony Point in Cape Town.

The penguin chicks are often left behind as their parents venture farther out to sea, struggling to find food due to depleting fish stocks.

According to SANCCOB, “The lack of food availability, coupled with extreme weather events caused by climate change, have had a devastating effect on African penguin populations.”

As these conditions worsen, rehabilitation becomes more vital. Seabird Rangers, in collaboration with managing authorities, rescue penguin chicks and transport them to SANCCOB, where they receive veterinary care and a second chance at life.

Inside the Chick Rearing Unit, the team follows a structured routine designed to ensure the health and wellbeing of each penguin. This includes carefully monitored feeding schedules, health assessments, and swim training.

Once the juvenile penguins begin to lose their fluffy down feathers and develop waterproof plumage, they are introduced to swimming. One of SANCCOB’s volunteers, Cath, plays a key role in helping the young penguins during their first aquatic experiences.

“The goal is for the penguin to swim for one hour, without assistance, before being considered fit enough for release,” SANCCOB explained.

Despite these efforts, the future of African penguins remains bleak. With fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs left, experts warn that the species could be extinct in the wild by 2035. The penguins’ main food sources, sardines and anchovies, are rapidly depleting due to overfishing and climate change.

Current marine protection measures, such as no-take zones, fail to safeguard critical foraging areas, leading to increased competition between penguins and fisheries. SANCCOB calls for stricter regulations to protect key breeding sites and enforce marine pollution laws.

Saving African penguins is not just about preserving a species. Penguins are crucial indicators of marine health and are integral to South Africa’s eco-tourism. SANCCOB urges the public to support conservation efforts by donating or signing petitions to push for stronger protective measures.