SANCCOB is caring for 30 oiled African penguins found by rangers on two islands in Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa. There are more oiled birds on the islands, however inclement weather is holding back their transport off the islands.
The affected birds were found on Bird and St. Croix Islands in the Marine Section of the park. After being taken by helicopter off the islands they were transported by road to the SANCCOB (South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) seabird centre.
Four chicks, offspring of oiled birds, have also been admitted by SANCCOB to their Cape St. Francis facility to be hand reared, as they were too young to survive without their parents. The organisation reports that all birds are in good condition, suggesting that the rangers found them soon after oiling. The chicks have already doubled their weight and some of the first adults admitted have been washed. Affected birds will remain at the centre until they have recovered enough to be returned to the colony. Their chicks will remain at SANCCOB for several months, until they are independent.
No source has been identified for the oil but illegal discharge of oily bilge from ships at sea traveling to or from nearby harbours is suspected. African penguins face a higher risk for oiling in recent years as their main prey species (sardine and pilchard) are less available near the colonies, requiring the birds to spend more time at sea to find food.
Resource: 30 Africa Penguins airlifted to safety. Cape Times. Accessed online 5 June 2015