MOSSEL BAY NEWS -  A remarkable and rather unexpected love story between two critically endangered African penguins has resulted in the hatching of Mossel Bay's third chick of 2026, Shannon.

Baby Shannon hatched from her mother, Happy Feet, and father, Ballot, at the Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Centre (Saprec) in Mossdustria on 5 September, weighing just 65 grams.

Saprec founder Carol Walton said Ballot and Happy Feet's love story is something special.
According to the South African National Biodiversity Institute, African penguins are monogamous and stay with their chosen partner for life, unless breeding has failed for some reason.

Walton said Happy Feet, who has been at the centre for 20 years now, had met her soulmate in a fellow Saprec resident, Pops. However, after many years together, Pops died, and Walton said she and the others at Saprec were extremely concerned that Happy Feet would experience terrible and extended grief.

However, in 2024, a new male penguin Saprec had rescued waddled into her life: Ballot.

"The bond they have is incredible," said Walton.

And the result is Shannon, whom the centre named after Shannon du Plessis of the KruShan Foundation, an organisation that focuses on the protection of African penguins.

"Baby Shannon has brought such joy into our lives," said Walton.

Meanwhile, Fletcher and Pamela, the chicks who hatched from Saprec parents Domi and Diski early in July, are thriving. "Fletcher is huge at 3.7kg and Pamela is also doing wonderfully," Walton said.

Saprec is a non-profit organisation and relies on donations and financial support from people and local businesses. If you would like to donate or support Saprec, which covers over 200km of the Garden Route coastline, or to report a seabird or penguin in distress, call Walton on 082 364 3382. 

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