How to Help SANCCOB Help The Penguins

EVER wonder how you could assist in nature conservation?

Populations of the endangered African penguin are declining in the wild due to a variety of threats, including oil spills and depleted prey populations as a result of overfishing.

South Africa’s breeding colonies have crashed by 73% in the past three decades, dropping from about 42,500 breeding pairs in 1991 to just 10,400 in 2021.

SANCCOB is a registered non-profit organisation started in 1968 with the primary objective of reversing the decline of seabird populations through the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of ill, injured, abandoned, and oiled seabirds – especially endangered species like the African penguin.

The organisation works closely with colony managers to identify birds in need of care in the wild and bring them to one of our two centres in South Africa: Cape Town (Western Cape) and Gqeberha.

What SANCCOB does

SANCCOB provides a 24/7 rescue service for sick and injured seabirds and abandoned seabird chicks. We respond to oil spill disasters along the South African coastline.
SANCCOB is recognised internationally as a leader in the field of seabird rehabilitation. We treat an average of 2,500 injured, sick and oiled seabirds annually.
Our specialist chick-rearing unit saves African penguin eggs and chicks that have been abandoned, for subsequent release back into the wild.
SANCCOB works with various stakeholders to ensure authorities take appropriate preparedness action to mitigate oil spill risks.
We offer various engaging lessons for children and adults, including tours of the facilities, presentations, and interactive, learning programmes for school groups.
We offer 3 and 6-month internships for adults, as well as a zoo and aquarium keeper exchange programme and veterinary experience courses.
Ongoing research increases our understanding of seabird species’ behaviour, diseases, and other factors that impact their long-term survival.
SANCCOB employs conservation staff in colonies in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape of South Africa that are under the protection of conservation authorities to monitor seabirds.

How you can help

Adopt and name an African penguin at SANCCOB for yourself or as a gift for someone special.
Financial contributions assist SANCCOB to cover operational expenses to continue critical conservation projects and provide seabird patients with the very best veterinary and rehabilitative care.
Local and overseas volunteers play are integral to operations at our Cape Town and Gqeberha centres, providing thousands of hours of much-needed conservation work daily
By joining SANCCOB’s membership programme, you add your voice to marine conservation.
Create your fundraising campaign. You can run a race, host a fundraising dinner, or cycle to work for a month and get your family and friends to sponsor each kilometre. If you’re celebrating a birthday or anniversary, consider asking your friends and family to support your fundraiser instead of buying a gift.
Items on our wish list can be purchased and donated to SANCCOB, and help to reduce operational costs. You can do so in your personal capacity or as part of a group, company, or school. These items range from cleaning products to veterinary supplies, and stationery for our education and volunteer programmes.
Leaving a bequest in your will to a charitable organisation is a popular tradition among people of vision and may be something you would find worth considering. You can make a positive impact in perpetuity when you bequeath SANCCOB.
Sign up to receive SANCCOB’s newsletter and get all the latest news on seabird rescues, conservation successes, and where your support is most needed.
Every swipe counts! You can name SANCCOB as one of three beneficiaries on your MySchool card and it doesn’t cost you anything.