A Privileged Encounter: Penguin Release with SANCCOB at Betty’s Bay

We had the incredible privilege of joining SANCCOB (the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) for a heartwarming African penguin release at the breathtaking Betty’s Bay. The day began bright and early at SANCCOB’s head office in Blouberg, where preparations were underway to return 12 rehabilitated penguins to the wild.

Each penguin had spent varying lengths of time in SANCCOB’s care, recovering from a range of challenges including oil spills, entanglement in fishing nets, and other human-related threats. As part of their rehabilitation, the birds were fitted with tiny subcutaneous GPS trackers. These harmless devices provide researchers with critical data on penguin movement and behavior, aiding conservation efforts without impacting the birds’ well-being.

Once all pre-release checks were completed including thorough scans to confirm the functionality of the trackers the penguins were gently secured in transport crates and carefully loaded into the back of a bakkie for their journey to Betty’s Bay.

We arrived and were welcomed by one of the dedicated field rangers stationed full-time at the reserve just one of many who monitor key penguin colonies along South Africa’s coastline. He guided us through the low-stress release protocol, ensuring the welfare of the birds was prioritized throughout the process.

We then walked to a quiet, secluded beach an ideal setting for such a profound moment. Initially hesitant but visibly eager, the penguins made their way into the chilly Atlantic Ocean. Watching them waddle toward the waves and swim off into the open sea was truly magical an unforgettable moment of triumph for conservation.

SANCCOB’s commitment to seabird rehabilitation is nothing short of extraordinary. As a non-profit organization, they rely entirely on donations and public support. In the past year alone, they successfully treated over 800 African penguins a sobering figure, considering the total breeding population is estimated at fewer than 15,000 pairs.

Perhaps even more impressive, SANCCOB boasts a release rate of over 80%, only withholding birds from release when it's in the animal’s best interest. With African penguins projected to face extinction by 2035 and having already lost 97% of their population over the past century, their work is more vital than ever.

This experience was a powerful reminder of the urgent need to protect these remarkable creatures and the fragile ecosystems they inhabit.

A special thank you to Romandi, and everyone involved at SANCCOB.