Lifeline for Penguins Opens in Cape Town
A dedicated seabird nursery aimed at protecting the critically endangered African penguin has officially opened at SANCCOB’s Table View facility in Cape Town. The new Pamela Isdell Seabird Nursery will incubate eggs and care for orphaned or abandoned chicks, significantly increasing SANCCOB's capacity to support the species. The facility replaces the original chick-rearing unit introduced in 2011 and is designed to meet higher hygiene and care standards.
With pressures on penguin populations rising, SANCCOB reports that more than 80% of the 12,000 chicks admitted to date have been successfully released back into the wild. The upgraded nursery is expected to double this capacity. The site also offers educational tours, reinforcing awareness of conservation challenges. Government support includes tightened fishing permit conditions and new shipping regulations to protect marine life, while plans for Cape Town’s forthcoming tourism strategy will place a focus on wildlife and environmental conservation.
Source: GroundUp
