Emotional moments as the team at SANCCOB safely releases over a dozen African Penguins.
Simon’s Town, South Africa (05 December 2025) – Without the incredible work and commitment from SANCCOB, SA’s seabirds, and especially penguins, would face a different fate.
This week, the team’s hard work all paid off again, when they got to release 13 African Penguins after extensive rescue and rehabilitation. The birds were released in Simon’s Town, near their colony.
“The work we do at SANCCOB is more than a job. It is emotional, purposeful and deeply important to the survival of the African Penguin. Today we released 13 African Penguins, and seeing them waddle back to their colony in Simon’s Town filled our hearts with hope.” shares the team.
SANCCOB sees an unending flow of patients that roll through their doors. While seabird populations have faced an uptick in Bird Flu in recent months.
“At least 9 African Penguins have already succumbed to High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza this year. The disease is now affecting birds within breeding colonies. These are birds that should be contributing to the next generation, yet this additional threat is taking them before they can do so. For this critically endangered species, already projected to disappear by 2035, every loss is a setback we cannot afford. There is no cure. What we have is prevention, protection and the urgency to act now.” shares SANCCOB.
Thankfully, action is what SANCCOB stands for.
Over time, they have released over 100,000 seabirds admitted into their care. Over 50,000 African Penguins have been released, with a successful release of about 80%. And over 9500 African Penguin fledglings have been released back into the wild, too.
So, this release wasn’t just for the penguins. It was for the people who fight to protect them.
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“We know this species can be saved, and it will take all of us standing together to make it a reality.” shares SANCCOB.
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