12 penguins rescued

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - In June SAPREC asked that people look out for baby blue penguins (juvenile African penguins) that wash up in trouble, often at this time of the year.

Thanks to the public's prompt response, 12 blues were successfully rescued and taken to SAPREC (the Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Centre).

These birds were brought in, exhausted and underweight, and a few had avian malaria and injuries from seals. After intensive rehabilitation at SAPREC, lots of food and love, the first group passed their fitness and medical test and were released at Stillbaaitjie, Fransmanshoek this past Saturday, 3 August.

If a stranded African penguin is found on a beach or the rocks, immediately call one of the emergency numbers listed below. Stranded penguins usually have something wrong with them and immediate action should be taken.

If a dead penguin is found, do not leave it on the beach or even bury it as the cause of death needs to be established. Since the start of 2017, all African penguins that are released, receive a microchip implant and it is vitally important to retrieve the data from these chips.

Please continue to be on the lookout as "blues" are still stranding on our coastline and contact SAPREC (082 364 3382) should you see one.

The successful penguin release at Fransmanshoek.