Pretoria, South Africa – (African Boulevard News) – The African penguin, also known as the Jackass penguin, is a vulnerable species that faces extinction in the wild. The population of these adorable birds has witnessed a significant drop in the last few years due to habitat destruction, food shortages, oil spills, and predation. However, a new clinic in South Africa hopes to save the futures of these lovely creatures.
The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), which has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing seabirds since 1968, opened a new facility in Cape Town that will mainly focus on helping the African penguin. This clinic is the first of its kind in the country, and the facility is equipped with modern equipment to help save the struggling penguins.
“So sadly, the population is declining quite drastically. So since 2015, we lost about 90% of the population in Algoa Bay and around 75% in the Western Cape. So overall, the population is declining,” said Katta Ludynia, SANCCOB’s executive director.
The new clinic will cater to the injured and diseased penguins, including those affected by the oil spills along the South African coastline. The oil spills affect the penguins’ waterproofing, and without emergency treatment, the birds can quickly die of hypothermia.
SANCCOB’s rehabilitation center has helped thousands of seabirds in the past, and it hopes the new facility will contribute significantly to saving the African penguin. The organization has also partnered with several stakeholders to increase the awareness of the penguins’ plight and the importance of conservation.
“Our partnership with SANCCOB is part of our commitment to conserve and preserve South Africa’s maritime heritage and all its inhabitants, including the African penguin,” said Siyabulela Mamkeli, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.
The African penguin is a vital part of South Africa’s coastal ecosystem, and the declining population has a significant impact on the region’s biodiversity. SANCCOB’s new facility is a positive step in the right direction, and it is hoped that it will help the penguins recover and thrive in the wild.
In conclusion, the African penguin is critical to the country’s economy, and it is essential to protect it from extinction. The new clinic will work tirelessly to help rescue and rehabilitate the penguins, giving them a second chance at life. It is hoped that other organizations will take a cue from SANCCOB’s efforts and join in the conservation efforts to ensure the survival of the African penguin.
