PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Tears of emotion were shed at Lookout Beach on Sunday 7 December when 11 critically endangered African penguins were released, going "back home" to the ocean.
The release is part of a programme by Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre, Robberg Veterinary Clinic, Birdlife Plettenberg Bay and Nature's Valley Trust which aims to heal, rehabilitate and release penguins.
Already 140 penguins have been released since the programme began in 2017, and this was the largest release at any one time.
"The ocean has gained 11 new penguin residents today. Stay safe out there little ones," said an emotional Keri McMorran of Tenikwa on her Facebook page after the release.
The penguin procession into the ocean and freedom was led by Baby Shark, a penguin rescued after surviving a shark attack near Nature's Valley in March this year.
He was followed closely by Buddy, another penguin that became his buddy. Others in the line-up were: Beacon Isle (found at the Beacon Isle Resort), Mustard (Lookout Beach), Olive (Buffalo Bay), Reese (Sedgefield), Robbie (Robberg Beach), Rocky (Nature's Valley ), Tears (Nature's Valley), Titch (Keurbooms) and Wish (found between Lookout and Keurbooms 3).
Survival
Ian Thomas of Plett Birdlife, the "voice of the penguins" at the release, said penguins are critically endangered and the ones released were among the last 2% of the remaining penguin population.
He said the South African penguin population was nearing extinction, caused by factors such as overfishing of sardines - their main diet - and human activities in the ocean.
"This is their only chance of survival … and it takes money to feed and look after them," said Thomas.
Ann Mawer, chairperson of Birdlife Plettenberg Bay thanked all those who have worked hard to get these critically endangered African Penguins to the release stage.
"To the people of Plettenberg Bay, please take a bow. Your participation and generous donations will save many more penguins from extinction," said Mawer.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
