Vernon, who is an environmental officer with the Eden District Municipality, was involved in the Joint Operation's mopping up actions after the Kiani Satu (carrying 330 tons of oil) ran aground on 19 August between Sedgefield and Buffalo Bay. The resulting oil spill involved 200 tons being pumped over to another ship.
"Over 400 volunteers walked the beaches of the Garden Route, from Plettenberg Bay to Still Bay, in icy cold wind conditions to rescue penguins and seabirds affected by the oil," said Vernon. A team from the South Africa National Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (Sanccob) had set up a stabilisation hub at Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre at Plettenberg Bay. Here oiled seabirds from the affected region received basic treatment. Some of the seabirds were transferred for rehabilitation to the best-suited facility, either in Cape St Francis or Cape Town.
Vernon said this week, "A total of 118 penguins were treated by the (Sanccob) Centre over the last month. Their rehabilitation programme was very exhaustive but highly successful. Only two of the 118 died." They were rescued in a joint operation unit at Goukamma and after being stabilised, transported as quickly as possible to Cape St Francis, which has a base for rehabilitation of penguins.
The rehabilitation includes a thorough wash with special shampoos, hydration using electrolytes, exercise, medication and eventually once they are able to eat whole sardines, they are as close to release as possible.
Vernon and Tony were there when the 31 penguins were being prepared for release, each having eaten four whole sardines. They left the sanctuary for the big open sea with the best possible chance of survival. Vernon described the process as "one of the most inspiring moments of my life."
The 165m bulk carrier Kiani Satu was pulled free from a Goukamma Nature Reserve beach by the SMIT Amandla, a large ocean-going tug, to a watery grave - 100 nautical miles from shore.
Happy feet. The penguins who were successfully treated at Sanccob in Cape St Francis after being covered in oil slick were given a personable goodbye by Vernon Gibbs-Halls who was involved along with the Eden District Municipality's Environment Services in curbing the effects of the oil spill from the Kiani Satu when it started sinking almost a month ago.
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