WE DO CONSERVATION.

We discover through research and observation.

Research helps us to identify the origin, the cause and possible solutions to a problem. Solutions need to be implemented, policies need to change, legislation must be adapted, action must be taken.

We make a difference, we act, we get things done.
We are part of the environment we live in. We see and feel the changes.

we take responsibility.

AFRICAN PENGUIN & SEABIRD SANCTUARY

Opened in 2015, the apss is as a custom-designed marine bird rehabilitation center.

We provide temporary care to diseased, displaced, injured, oiled and abandoned marine birds with special focus on the endangered african penguin. Marine bird rescue, rehabilitation and releases part of the conservation management plan to stabilize and maintain population numbers.

Rehabilitation is a re-active but important intervention. Every single penguin saved through rehabilitation contributes to the conservation effort, to prevent the extinction of the african penguin.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Including a penguin rescue line allowing the public to report stranded birds and a penguin ambulance service for dyer island.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

An attending veterinarian and permanent veterinarian nurse to immediately treat birds in distress, thereby increasing their survival rate

A TEMPORARY HOME

The facility has a quarantine-, intensive care- and a general ward, a fully equipped laboratory and a pre-release conditioning pen.

WANT TO DONEATE NOW?

PENGUIN CHICK REHABILITATION

Annually we have to remove african penguin chicks from dyer island, to treat and rehabilitate at the african penguin and seabird sanctuary – apss, while their parents on the island finish moulting.

African penguins go through a season where they moult, replacing their feathers for new ones. During this process the penguins are not “water proof,” preventing them from swimming and caring for their young. If we did not intervene the chicks will starve and the population will continue to decline.

The number of chicks that will now be in our care will require more time, resources and especially fish. We need your help!

We need your help to feed these little penguins, by donating to the african penguin and seabird sanctuary.

PENGUIN PENTHOUSE PROJECT

Rehabilitation is re-active, to save the african penguin from extinction we need to also focus on pro-active measures. One of those measures are to provide the penguins with an artificial nest that will meet all the requirements of a perfect penguin penthouse.

WHY DO WE NEED TO PROVIDE ARTIFICIAL NESTS?

Before the advent of artificially produced fertiliser, guano was considered a top-quality fertiliser rich in nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Guano (an inca word for a mix of eggshell, feathers, decayed corpses and bird excrement) was scraped from the penguin breeding islands. Penguins used to build their nests by burrowing into the thick layers of guano. This “forced removal” from well protected, temperature-controlled burrows to open surface nests, exposed the african penguin to the harsh african heat and occasional flooding the “open-plan” living arrangement turned their eggs and chicks into an easy meal for predators like gulls & skuas.

DO YOU WANT TO HELP SAVE THE SOUTH AFRICAN PENGUINS?

THE STORY OF THE AFRICAN PENGUIN

Allow us to introduce ourselves:

We are now known as the African penguin. In the past we have been called the jackass penguin, but we objected as we did not believe it was politically correct to have the term “ass” in our name.

Then for a while we were the black-footed penguins but seeing that most of our fellow penguin species have black feet, we thought that this could be confusing.

There are 18 penguin species worldwide, but we are the only penguin species that can call Africa home– therefore we preferred to be called the African penguin and we are proud of it.

We call the south-western African coast line, all the way from Namibia to Algoa bay in South Africa home. African penguins have a unique story to tell.

Exclusive to the African continent, the African penguins have a unique story to tell.
Help! We are in trouble

we do not want our tale to end but unless we get some help we are living in the final chapter of our story.

2018 : 15 000 breeding pairs

2015 : 18 000 breeding pairs

2009 : 25 000 breeding pairs

2001 : 63 000 breeding pairs

1978 : 75 000 breeding pairs

1956 : 147 000 breeding pairs

1920 : 1 000 000 breeding pairs

PENGUIN FACTS:

Scientific name: Spheniscus Demersus

Class: Aves

Order: Sphenisciformes.

Family: Spheniscidae.
We are “banded” penguins, because of the black bandover our chest our closest cousins are the humboldt and magellanic and galapagospenguins.

Common names:
afrikaans: afrika pikkewyn, brul pikkewyn
xhosa: inguza or unombombiya

Adult weigh: 2.5 – 3.5kg

Height when standing: 40 – 50cm. When scientists measure us, they measure us as if we are lying down with our feet stretch out behind us. So, from the tips of our toe nails to the end of our beak we are between 60 and 70cm’s

Age at first breeding: 2-6 years normally 4

Breeding: African penguins have an extended breeding season, which enables them to breed throughout the year. The peak of the breeding season in Namibia (november to december) tends to be earlier than the peak for South Africa (march to may).

Eggs: 1-2 eggs. Incubation period of 40 days

Flegling period: 60 – 130 days

Lifespan in the wild: average 10 – 15 years

Males and females dress the same, making it difficult to differentiate between sexes. Juveniles differ from adults in having blue-grey plumage with no white facial markings and no bold, defined marking

Swimming speed: 15-20km/hour. Average 5km/hour when travelling

Dive depth: usually less than 30m but can dive to a maximum of 130m

Dive duration: 2 – 5 minutes

Food: shoaling fish like sardines & anchovies

once a year we have to moult. Basically, we have to replace our old and worn-out feathers. This is our license to get fat. We need to gain up to 31% of our normal body weight. We need these fat reserves because as our new feathers slowly push out the old feathers, we are not waterproof, therefore we do not feed for about 18 days. We have to stay on land without food until our shiny new tuxedo has grown out. By this time of course we are back to our normal sleeky self.

CLEAN MARINE

The fishing line recovery and recycling programme uses pvc pipes to create receptacles that stand 60 cm high and are erected at beaches around the country