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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - It has been a busy season at SAPREC (the Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Centre) because a fair number of African penguins and other seabirds were found on local beaches.
Some of the penguins had serious bite wounds from either Cape fur seals or sharks.
After being treated by veterinarian, Dr Frans de Graaff, they were in the very capable and loving hands of the volunteers at the centre.
On Friday, 12 January 2018, quite a large crowd witnessed the release of six penguins.
This is always a very happy occasion and the release went without any hassles despite it being high tide and rather large swells.
The six penguins looked very happy to be back in the big blue ocean and one can only hope that they will survive.
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Just after the new year, Carol Walton also received a call about a very scarce visitor to our shore.
A light-mantled sooty albatross was found near Kanon within a poor condition.
The very special bird was also taken to Dr Frans where it was diagnosed with severe pneumonia.
Unfortunately, it died a couple of days later.
Their habitat is the open ocean mostly south of the Antarctic polar front and it was very special to have seen one of these magnificent birds up close.
As always during December, numerous calls were answered about cormorants. Cormorants can sit still on rocks and beaches for quite a while and mostly there is nothing wrong with the birds.
The release of six rehabilitated African penguins on Friday.
Holidaymakers think differently and expect the bird to be taken away for treatment. In many cases, these birds die as they can not handle the stress and trauma of being caught.
It is best to leave them alone and just observe them for a while before reporting that the bird is in distress.
At the centre, all is well and little Murdock, a completely blind penguin, is adapting extremely well to his new surroundings.
Murdock was found on a beach and it was soon discovered that he is blind.
Carol decided that she will voice train him and once again the passion and dedication by her and the other volunteers can only be applauded as little Murdock is slowly starting to find his away, mixing with the other penguins in the large pool.
The beautiful and scarce Light mantled Sooty Albatross that was found near Kanon.
Rocky, a Southern Rockhopper from Antarctica, came to SAPREC after being found on a beach after a huge storm in June 2017 with a severe head injury.
He had to undergo surgery and has made a complete recovery and has become a very special little penguin with his yellow feathers and red beak!
If anybody would like to visit the centre to meet the penguins or need to report a penguin on the beach, please call Carol Walton at 082 364 3382.
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