How to adopt two penguins this Valentine’s Day

The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (Sanccob) is inviting the public to adopt two penguins this Valentine’s Day.

Sanccob is a registered non-profit organisation whose primary objective is to reverse the decline of seabird populations through the rescue, rehabilitation and release of ill, injured, abandoned and oiled seabirds – especially endangered species like the African penguin.

The organisation works closely with colony managers to identify birds in need of care in the wild and bring them to one of their two centres in South Africa: Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

And now the foundation is launching its ever-so-popular two-for-one “campaign” where members of the public can adopt a penguin pair and name them.

How it works:

Members of the public can adopt and name a penguin for just R600 and help Sanccob give them the very best chance to return back to the wild.

Once your adoption goes through, you’ll receive an e-mail with a certificate of adoption and a special letter of thanks from “your” penguin. Your donation will help cover the cost of fish, medication, water and other essentials your bird needs to grow strong enough for release back into the wild.

Those who are interested will not actually be permitted to visit their penguins during rehabilitation, nor will you be able to track their movements after release.

“But if you reconnect with us in a year we can find out if ‘your’ penguin has crossed any of our transponder readers in the colonies. You will play a vital role in saving the African penguin…and give your adopted bird the chance to live a natural life in the wild, where the bird belongs. Adoptions are valid for one year from the date of issue and adopters are welcome to get in touch to donate and adopt a new bird.”

Treatment for all:

It is also reported by Sanccob that multiple adoptions of individual birds enable them to cover the costs of caring for all the penguins at the two centres. Therefore, your contribution will form part of a collective pool of funds to provide food and veterinary treatment for all.

To adopt a penguin (or two) visit the following page.

All you have to do is choose the penguin you want and fill in the form.