Carol Walton, founder of the centre, along with her assistant Sue Harris, gave the rangers a crash-course on how to pick up African Penguins without harming them and how to give them an initial recovery dose of electrolyte solution (Darrows) and food.
"The African Penguin is the only species of penguin found on our continent," explains Wayne Meyer, marine ranger at Goukamma Cape Nature. "They return each year to the same breeding site where the females usually lay two eggs which take 40 days to hatch. They have a life-span of between 10 and 27 years. Their main threats are food scarcity, oil pollution and predation by seals."
The African Penguin is now an endangered species and their population is in a state of sharp decline. Meyer says this has been linked to our over-fishing of sardine stocks, as sardines are their main food source.
"As a result, CapeNature is going that extra mile to ensure that penguins which come ashore alive are given the best possible chance of survival," reports Meyer.
The key penguin colonies along out coastline are at Dassen Island, Boulders Beach, Betty’s Bay, Dyer Island and Bird Island. The penguins swim between and around these colonies in search of food, but due to a scarcity of food they now have to go further-afield.
Explains Meyer: "Throughout the year, sick, starving or injured penguins come ashore along our coastline where, without human assistance, they face certain death. Healthy, capable penguins do not come ashore outside of their colonies."
The penguins need to be rehabilitated back to a strong state, when they are released back into the ocean with a second chance at life."
Goukamma Cape Nature strongly urges anyone who sees a penguin on the beach, or any other sick or injured seabird to contact the closest rehabilitation centre.
"If the penguin is weak and you can pick it up, keep it warm in a towel and don’t put it in water," warns Meyer.
SAPREC (082 364 3382) serves the area West of Wilderness, and Tenikwa (082 486 1515) the area East of Wilderness.
SAPREC appeals to the public for donations to keep the non-profit organisation going. For more information contact Wayne Meyer at 044 383 0042 or goukammarangers@capenature.co.za.
Billy the penguin inspects his breakfast menu and electrolyte solution.
Some of the penguins at SAPREC rehabilitation centre prepare to go for a swim. (Photos: Wayne Meyer/Goukamma Cape Nature.)
