A new lifeline for seabirds in Algoa Bay

On Thursday, 05 August 2021, the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) hosted a virtual grand reveal event to announce the completion of its stateof- the-art rehabilitation pool at the organisation’s Eastern Cape centre situated in Gqeberha.

The new development for seabird patients undergoing rehabilitation boasts six new associated pens with access gates to the pool that facilitates an improved flow of birds in and out of the water. Until now, the Eastern Cape facility has been operating with only one temporary rehabilitation pool. The non-profit organisation first launched its ambitious fundraising campaign in 2019 and managed to successfully raise the funds needed but construction was delayed in 2020 during South Africa’s lockdown due to Covid-19.

According to SANCCOB, there is joy amongst staff and volunteers for the birds in their care to now have adequate pool access but also for operational tasks that will be less challenging. Sufficient access to water to swim is an important step in the rehabilitation process of seabirds as swimming improves the waterproofing of their plumage and strengthens the birds. The rehabilitation pens around the pool enables the staff to easily separate the birds according to species, age or stage in their healing.

SANCCOB’s clinical veterinarian, Dr David Roberts, says, “Having this new pool and pens will improve the health of the birds in our care; mosquito-proofing will reduce the risk of avian malaria, better flooring reduces bumblefoot and more space and easy access to the pools for swimming will improve the welfare of the birds and reduce stress. This in turn will enhance their immune responses and allow them to heal faster.” Roberts continues, “Algoa Bay hosts the world’s largest colonies of two iconic seabird species with 30% of the global population of African penguins and 70% of Cape gannets. Seabirds are facing threats such as oil spill events, ecosystem degradation, climate change, novel disease outbreaks and lack of fish. We want to continue to provide a place of healing and rehabilitation with specialist veterinary care to save seabirds in distress.”

Nicky Stander, preparedness and response manager at SANCCOB shares: “The large number of oiled seabirds admitted to SANCCOB in July 2019 reiterated that the new structure is very necessary. The increase in maritime traffic and the ship-to-ship bunkering positioned in Algoa Bay has increased the risk of oil spills and seabirds are particularly vulnerable. SANCCOB is mandated by the South African government to respond to oil spills affecting seabirds and having efficient facilities to treat and rehabilitate affected seabirds is critical for SANCCOB’s preparedness and response.” SANCCOB would like to express its gratitude to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet, Pueblo Zoo, corporate and individual donors, as well as building suppliers, who have funded the building project.