Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB)

The African Penguin has been uplisted to Critically Endangered by the IUCN, with breeding pairs now under 10,000. With a shocking 97% population decline, these beloved seabirds face extinction in less than 4,000 days without urgent action. What is driving the decline? Faced with numerous threats, a primary cause of the African Penguin’s decline is a lack of available food due to climate change, made worse by competition from commercial fishing around its breeding colonies, which impacts the species’ survival and breeding success. While there are existing no-take zones where commercial fishing is prohibited to help the penguins better access the fish they feed on, primarily sardines and anchovies, research by seabird scientists has demonstrated that these zones are currently inadequate for penguin conservation. Nicky Stander, Head of Conservation, SANCCOB said “Seeing a 97% loss in African Penguin populations is devastating and knowing they are now officially ‘Critically Endangered’ is a sobering thought. In just over a decade, they could no longer exist, which not only has an impact on our marine ecosystem, but also on South Africa’s economy and ecotourism. These animals are a key indicator of the wider ecological health of our ocean and are beloved worldwide. We cannot wait any longer for change.” Natalie Maskell, CEO, SANCCOB said “The IUCN uplisting to Critically Endangered means that the African Penguins are just one step away from becoming extinct in the wild. SANCCOB will continue to fight for the future of this iconic species; we must remain optimistic that their trajectory can be reversed." To help protect this iconic species: ✍️ Sign the petition to support expanded no-take zones for their food sources, like sardines and anchovies: https://lnkd.in/eU6_Jegw 🎥 Watch the campaign video narrated by ocean conservationist Zandi Ndhlovu https://lnkd.in/ecaadEUd ⇪ Share to spread awareness! Together, let’s #SaveTheAfricanPenguin 🐧 💙 #SANCCOB #BirdLifeSouthAfrica #BlueMarine

Join SANCCOB and CapeNature this weekend for The Annual Penguin Palooza at Stony Point Nature Reserve located in Betty’s Bay. Penguin Palooza is all about celebrating African penguin conservation partnerships, with the possibility of watching penguin releases, enjoying interactive talks, and learning how you can support the survival of these incredible seabirds. Entry is free of charge, and the event will start at 10:00 on Saturday, 26 October 2024. Don’t miss this penguin-packed event! For more details, check out the full article: https://lnkd.in/dhvF8k_h #PenguinPalooza #SANCCOB #AfricanPenguins #CapeNature #SaveThePenguins #FamilyFun

Join Nicky Stander, SANCCOB's Head of Conservation, at the Sustainability Week Africa taking place on October 24th - 25th 2024. This business and investment event is focused on how companies can help the continent become sustainable faster. Register now: https://bit.ly/3W996wt #EconSustainability @EconomistEvents 

SANCCOB, in collaboration with BirdLife South Africa, is dedicated to safeguarding the future of African penguins, but we face a setback as the court hearing for our landmark case has been postponed to March next year. Initially scheduled for this month in the Pretoria High Court, this delay arises due to late filing of affidavits by State parties, which disrupted the hearing timeline. This landmark case is critical in our fight to safeguard the future of African penguins. Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) and BirdLife SA are applicants in the litigation against the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE). The goal: to challenge inadequate closures that fail to reduce the competition for sardines and anchovies between commercial fisheries and African penguins’ feeding grounds. The litigation continues despite a recent social media post by Environmental Minister Dion George, in which he claimed to have instructed his lawyers to settle. Moreover, we assert that former Minister Barbara Creecy acted irrationally and unlawfully by accepting some of the recommendations of an expert panel she appointed to mediate between conservationists and the fishing industry, yet failed to implement the critical measures needed for penguin protection. This inaction has left the African penguins vulnerable to unsustainable commercial fishing practices that threaten their survival. As we move toward the new hearing date in March 2025, we will continue to advocate tirelessly for the rights of these remarkable birds. With only 8,300 breeding pairs remaining in South Africa, time is running out. #SaveTheAfricanPenguin #EndangeredSpecies #SANCCOBsavesseabirds #BirdLifeSouthAfrica #biodiversitylawcentre

At SANCCOB, we’re committed to protecting the African Penguin—and this latest report highlights just how crucial our work is. From over a million breeding pairs in the early 1900s to just 8,324 breeding pairs remaining in South Africa in 2023, the decline of this iconic species is alarming. A recent assessment by Anchor Environmental Consultants, commissioned by the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, reveals that African Penguin colonies contribute between R1.9 billion and R4.5 billion annually to South Africa’s socio-economic landscape, through tourism, property benefits, education, and media. This is proof that saving the African Penguin is not only vital for biodiversity but also for the economic growth of our country. A holistic, ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management is essential to ensure their survival. The loss of the African Penguin would be a significant blow—not just to our natural heritage, but to our economy. #savetheafricanpenguins #SANCCOB Read the full report by following the link below. https://lnkd.in/dmKFY8U6 📸 Photo credit: Dan Callister

Exciting news! This week marks a huge milestone for SANCCOB as we officially broke ground on the construction of our new Chick Rearing Unit in Table View! Our CEO Natalie Maskell, Head of Conservation Nicky Stander, alongside one of our board members John Cooper and our incredible construction team, are leading the way on this critical African Penguin Chick Bolstering Programme. Since 2006, as part of a gazetted conservation initiative under the African Penguin Biodiversity Management Plan, this programme has been hand-rearing abandoned penguin eggs and chicks, giving these endangered seabirds a fighting chance. Stay tuned as we build hope for our African Penguins! #savetheafricanpenguin #SANCCOB #BuildingHope #sanccobsavesseabirds

In partnership with BirdLife South Africa, Blue Marine Foundation, and Zandi Ndhlovu, we are fighting to #SaveAfricanPenguins by advocating for stronger regulations to safeguard their food supply and habitats. We invite you to read the article below and join us by signing the petition to push for change. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/dgU8uyT2 Sign the petition: https://lnkd.in/eU6_Jegw Together, we can save African penguins! 🐧 #SaveThePenguins #Conservation #SANCCOB #BirdLifeSouthAfrica #BlueMarine #ActNow #AfricanPenguins #Penguins

🦅 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗲𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻 An adult Grey Heron was recently admitted to the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), a species we don't often see at the center. This iconic wetland bird arrived in a concerning condition, but the team is already working to provide the necessary care. 🚨 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 - "𝐻𝑒002" was found in a private garden, with one of its legs entangled in fishing line and a hook in his foot.  - Upon arrival, it weighed 1.48 kg, which is a healthy weight for an adult of this species.   - Its wing showed damage from the entanglement, and one of its toes was severely swollen. 🩺 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - X-rays revealed that none of its bones were fractured, which is a positive sign for its recovery.   - The team is now providing tailored treatments to address its injuries, ensuring it has a secure environment for healing, along with a diet suited to its needs. 🌿 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹? Grey Herons are essential in maintaining the balance of wetland ecosystems, particularly by controlling fish and insect populations. Their presence also serves as a key indicator of the health of wetlands, which are vital for biodiversity. Moreover, wetlands are powerful carbon sinks, storing far more carbon than rainforests and reducing greenhouse gases. 🌍 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 By rehabilitating this bird, we are contributing to the preservation of wetlands and their biodiversity. Every action counts when it comes to protecting wildlife. #SANCCOB #Wildlife #BirdRehabilitation #GreyHeron #Ecology

While breeding, African penguins are confined to a small area around their colonies. Each breeding pair must return to the colony to attend to their egg and chick duties. Establishing no-take zones around these colonies would dramatically improve the protection of African penguins. The people and government of South Africa must act now to protect this iconic and loveable seabird. #SaveAfricanPenguins by signing the petition! https://lnkd.in/eBemW92F

By 2035, African Penguins could be extinct in the wild. In the last century, African Penguins have lost 97% of their population. The penguins’ main food sources, sardines and anchovies, are being depleted by commercial fishing. #SaveAfricanPenguins by signing the petition and sharing this post! https://lnkd.in/eBemW92F