The Port Elizabeth branch of SANCCOB is raised funds to pay for a state-of-the-art swimming pool to help rehabilitate seabirds which is now complete.
Port Elizabeth, South Africa (04 February 2020) – The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) is a leading marine-orientated non-profit organisation in South Africa, experts and internationally recognised leaders in oiled wildlife response, rehabilitation and chick-rearing.
They have treated more than 90 000 oiled, ill, injured or abandoned endangered African penguins and other threatened seabirds since being established in 1968.
15 years ago there were over 22,000 breeding pairs of African penguins on Dassen Island alone, then in 2010, the population count was at 22,000 breeding pairs in all of South Africa. At present, 2020 numbers reveal that there are less than 20,000 breeding pairs worldwide. It is also an alarming fact that the approximate amount of 40,000 African penguins that were oiled, rescued, rehabilitated or relocated after the MV Treasure oil spill in 2000 is more than the estimated amount of African penguins breeding in the whole world today!
Their premises in Port Elizabeth raised money for a much-needed swimming pool. The new state-of-the-art rehabilitation pool with six associated pens for seabird patients is finally complete.
The new structure will provide a more efficient space for birds and day to day seabird conservation work, and accommodate an improved flow of seabirds undergoing rehabilitation.
“We are proud to share that construction of our new rehabilitation pool and associated pens for seabird patients at our Port Elizabeth centre is complete. SANCCOB is very fortunate to have such dedicated donors and supporters contribute to this building project and we wish to extend our gratitude to each and every person, corporate, trust and foundation, and partnering zoos and aquariums across the globe.
We will host a grand reveal event in April and will share updated photos via our social media platforms. Thank you once again for another incredible achievement.”
This is wonderful news for birdlife and rehabilitation efforts in Port Elizabeth. May the new pool bring many success stories!
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