View source for SANCCOB

{{Use South African English|date=April 2017}}
{{Short description|Seabird conservation organisation in South Africa}}
{{Infobox Organisation
| name                     = Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds
| formation                = {{start date and age|1968|11}}
| logo                     = SANCCOB logo.svg
| image                    = SANCCOB penguin sanctuary (phone photo) (44137910590).jpg
| caption                  =
| map                      = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=point|zoom=11}}
| abbreviation             = SANCCOB
| type                     = [[Non-profit organisation]]
| status                   =
| purpose                  = [[Wildlife conservation]]
| headquarters             = [[Rietvlei Wetland Reserve]], 22 Pentz Drive, [[Table View]], Cape Town
| coordinates              = {{coord|-33.83376|18.49128}}
| leader_title             = Chairperson
| leader_name              = Samantha Petersen
| leader_title2            = Chief Executive Officer
| leader_name2             = Natalie Maskell
| budget                   =
| revenue                  = {{ZAR|16 313 854}}
| revenue_year             = 2021/22
| expenses                 = {{ZAR|17 904 631}}
| expenses_year            = 2021/22
| staff                    = {{Unbulleted list
|21 volunteers
|47 interns
}}
| website                  = {{URL|https://sanccob.co.za}}
| remarks                  =
| image_border             =
| size                     =
| msize                    =
| mcaption                 =
| motto                    = Saves seabirds
| extinction               =
| location                 = [[South Africa]]
| region_served            = [[Southern Africa]]
}}
[[File:SANCCOB Cape Recife 2018 (1).jpg|thumb|SANCCOB at [[Cape Recife]]]]
[[File:Pinguine und Kaptölpel, SANCCOB, Port Elizabeth.jpg|thumb|SANCCOB at Cape Recife]]
The '''Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB)''' is an international non-profit organisation committed to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of seabirds in Southern Africa. Recognised by the [[South African Veterinary Council]], SANCCOB operates from its headquarters at the [[Rietvlei Wetland Reserve]] in [[Table View]], [[South Africa]].
Established in 1968, SANCCOB aims to safeguard Southern Africa's marine birds, with particular attention to endangered species.
== History ==
The origins of the organisation can be traced the aftermath of the [[List of oil spills impacting penguins|Esso Essen spill]] in April 1968, an event that underscored the significant impacts of oil pollution. In response to the oiled [[African penguins]], [[Althea Louise Burman Westphal]] established a temporary rehabilitation facility in her residence and formally established SANCCOB in November, 1968.
SANCCOB was motivated by increasing incidents of penguins being injured by oil pollution along South Africa's coasts. This rise in pollution was attributed to heightened tanker traffic following the closure of the [[Suez Canal]] after the [[Six-Day War]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Westphal |first1=A |last2=Rowan |first2=MK |year=1971 |title=Some observations on the effects of oil pollution on the jackass penguin |journal=Ostrich |volume=Supplement 8 |pages=521–526 |doi=10.1080/00306525.1969.9639147}}</ref> SANCCOB emerged as a proactive response to address this environmental challenge.
Under the leadership of [[Roy Siegfried]], SANCCOB gained formal recognition. Their efforts were supported by evidence documenting the decline in the penguin population over several decades. From 1969 to 1993, SANCCOB provided sanctuary to an annual average of 200 to 2,000 birds, primarily [[African penguin]]s.
SANCCOB has responded to major oil spills, including the ''[[Apollo Sea]]'' spill in 1994 and the [[MV Treasure oil spill|''Treasure'' spill]] in 2000. During the latter incident, SANCCOB evacuated 19,500 un-oiled birds as a precautionary measure, representing a significant portion of the global population at that time.
In addition to crisis response, SANCCOB also mitigates the impact of oiling incidents. Between 1990 and 2005, an average of 750 oiled penguins were taken in annually. Since its inception, SANCCOB has cared for more than 85,000 seabirds.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wolfaardt |first1=A. C. |last2=Williams |first2=A. J. |last3=Underhill |first3=L. G. |last4=Crawford |first4=R. J. M. |last5=Whittington |first5=P. A. |year=2009 |title=Review of the rescue, rehabilitation and restoration of oiled seabirds in South Africa, especially African penguins Spheniscus demersus and Cape gannets Morus capensis, 1983–2005 |journal=African Journal of Marine Science |volume=31 |issue=1 |pages=31–5 |doi=10.2989/ajms.2009.31.1.3.774 |bibcode=2009AfJMS..31...31W |s2cid=84039397}}</ref>
== Conservation ==
===African penguin===
{{main|African penguin}}
SANCCOB implements a comprehensive set of conservation strategies to address the complex array of challenges facing the [[African penguin]], a species classified as endangered. These focus on rescue and rehabilitation, which serves as a key component in mitigating the adverse impacts of human activities and environmental factors on African penguin populations. The organisation's rescue and rehabilitation activities address injuries, illnesses, and instances of abandonment. Upon receiving distress calls from concerned individuals and field rangers, SANCCOB dispatches teams to transport affected penguins to its facilities located in [[Cape Town]] and [[Port Elizabeth]], where professionals and volunteers deliver specialised care, encompassing medical treatment, nutritional support, and tailored behavioural rehabilitation for each individual bird. SANCCOB's rehabilitation process prioritises the preparation of penguins for successful reintroduction into their natural environment. This entails ensuring that rehabilitated individuals retain crucial survival skills, such as hunting and social behaviours, while minimising human imprinting to facilitate their seamless reintegration into wild populations. In addition to direct intervention, SANCCOB actively engages in research and collaborative efforts aimed at addressing the underlying threats to African penguins. By collaborating with governmental agencies, research institutions, and conservation organisations, SANCCOB contributes to studies focusing on issues such as habitat loss, overfishing, pollution, and climate change, with the aim of identifying and implementing effective mitigation strategies. SANCCOB also works to raise awareness and foster community involvement in African penguin conservation through educational programmes, outreach events, and media campaigns.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-29 |title=Go inside a penguin rescue center with new 360 video |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/endangered-african-penguins-get-boost |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Animals |language=en}}</ref>
Recent initiatives include the establishment of a new penguin colony within the [[De Hoop Nature Reserve]], featuring the use of lifelike penguin decoys and recorded penguin calls to attract penguins to this location.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Derek |date=2023-12-25 |title=African Penguins Have Almost Been Wiped Out by Overfishing and Climate Change. Researchers Want to Orchestrate a Comeback. |url=https://insideclimatenews.org/news/25122023/african-penguins-almost-wiped-out-by-overfishing-climate-change/ |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Inside Climate News |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Cape cormorant===
{{Main|Cape cormorant}}
The [[Cape cormorant]] is endemic to the [[Benguela Current|Benguela Upwelling System]] and faces endangerment due to a notable decline in breeding pairs observed over the past three decades. Various factors contribute to this decline, including the scarcity of primary prey, disease outbreaks, and recent incidents of [[avian influenza]]. With a focus on disease response efforts, SANCCOB works to manage outbreaks and mitigate their impact on the species. One significant event occurred in January 2021 when approximately 2,000 Cape Cormorant chicks were discovered abandoned and distressed, exhibiting signs of dehydration and heat stress, at two critical nesting sites. SANCCOB initiated a comprehensive rescue and rehabilitation effort, the first of its kind for the species, during which approximately 54% of the rescued cormorant chicks were successfully rehabilitated and reintroduced into their breeding colonies. There was a direct correlation between the initial body mass of the chicks upon admission to the rehabilitation centre and their likelihood of survival during the rehabilitation process. A high proportion (80.7%) of the cormorant chicks succumbed within the initial five days of admission.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Phillips |first1=Jesse |last2=Ludynia |first2=Katrin |last3=Waller |first3=Lauren J. |last4=Barham |first4=Peter J. |last5=Mdluli |first5=Andile |last6=Klusener |first6=Romy |last7=Maneveldt |first7=Gavin W. |date=13 Mar 2023 |title=Initial evaluation of the care and rehabilitation success of Cape Cormorants Phalacrocorax capensis rescued from Robben and Jutten islands, South Africa, in January 2021 |url=https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2023.2173327 |journal=Ostrich |volume=94 |issue=1 |pages=40–47|doi=10.2989/00306525.2023.2173327 |bibcode=2023Ostri..94...40P }}</ref>
===Cape gannet===
{{Main|Cape gannet}}
The decline of [[Cape gannet]]s in both Namibia and South Africa is closely linked to the scarcity of their primary prey, [[sardine]]s. The collapse of sardine stocks in Namibia during the 1960s and 1970s had profound consequences for several seabird species, including Cape gannets and African penguins. Similarly, shifts in sardine distribution and depletion of stocks along the West Coast of South Africa have negatively impacted breeding populations in colonies such as [[Lambert's Bay|Lambert’s Bay]] and [[Malgas Island]]. Additionally, Cape gannets face threats from oil spills, exemplified by incidents such as the 1983 [[Saldanha Bay|Saldanha Bay tanker fire]], which led to the oiling of 5,000 Cape gannets on Malgas Island. SANCCOB has been instrumental in rehabilitating oiled Cape gannets following spills in both the Eastern Cape and [[Algoa Bay]]. Their [[Gqeberha]] branch received 100 oiled Cape gannets in March 2024, necessitating immediate washing and care to mitigate the detrimental effects of the oil on the birds' feathers. Prompt treatment is crucial for oiled birds, as the oil compromises their waterproofing, rendering them susceptible to hypothermia and drowning. The rehabilitation process, involving stabilising the birds before washing and subsequent care, typically spans at least four weeks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vivier |first=Tyler Leigh |date=2024-03-28 |title=Oiled Cape Gannets Rescued and Taken to SANCCOB Gqeberha |url=https://www.goodthingsguy.com/environment/oiled-cape-gannets-sanccob/ |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Good Things Guy |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
===Bank cormorant===
{{Main|Bank cormorant}}
The [[Bank cormorant]]’s primary breeding grounds are concentrated in Namibia, with approximately 80% of the global population residing in a single colony in that region. Depletion of its primary food source, the [[Rock lobster]], has forced the Bank cormorant to adapt its dietary habits, leading to increased competition for alternative prey and struggles to find sufficient sustenance. Through initiatives focused on research, rehabilitation, and community engagement, SANCCOB works to mitigate the threats facing this species and ensure the long-term viability of its populations. In January 2021, SANCCOB, in collaboration with the [[International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)]], embarked on a large-scale rescue mission to save thousands of Cape cormorant chicks abandoned on [[Robben Island]], providing essential care, including tube feeding and rehydration therapy, to the rescued chicks, followed by preparation for release back into the wild.<ref>{{Cite web |title=one year anniversary of Cape cormorant rescue with SANCCOB |url=https://www.ifaw.org/international/journal/sanccob-cormorant-rescue-anniversary |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=IFAW |language=en}}</ref>
== Partnerships ==
SANCCOB conducts educational programmes, outreach activities, and awareness campaigns to underscore the importance of seabirds, the challenges they face, and how individuals can contribute to their protection. Although not formally accredited, SANCCOB collaborates with entities like the [[Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE)]] programme and a global network of zoos, aquariums, and conservation organisations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AZA SAFE {{!}} Association of Zoos and Aquariums |url=https://www.aza.org/aza-safe |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=www.aza.org}}</ref>
SANCCOB collaborates with numerous [[Association of Zoos and Aquariums|AZA]]-accredited organisations in various conservation efforts. Many of these institutions participate in an international partnership aimed at safeguarding endangered African penguins, while others engage through the SAFE programme. Additionally, AZA institutions offer financial support for African penguin conservation projects in South Africa and Namibia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Institution Status: Association of Zoos & Aquariums |url=https://www.aza.org/inst-status |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=www.aza.org}}</ref>
== Facilities and operations ==
SANCCOB's facilities include two seabird hospitals (in Cape Town and Gqeberha) that include surgical theatres, intensive care units, and other specialized areas; a three-part wash bay area for oiled seabirds; an aviary; and rehabilitation pens and pools.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vivier |first=Tyler Leigh |date=2024-04-02 |title=SANCCOB Gqeberha Centre Achieves International Certification |url=https://www.goodthingsguy.com/environment/sanccob-gqeberha-international-certification/ |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Good Things Guy |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Behind the Scenes Tour at SANCCOB in Bloubergrant, Cape Town |url=https://www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/westerncape/behind-the-scenes-tour-at-sanccob/ |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=www.sa-venues.com}}</ref>
== Certification ==
SANCCOB does not hold formal accreditation. However, it has obtained international certification from the Global Humane Conservation programme. SANCCOB has also undergone an independent assessment evaluating the well-being of animals under their care, demonstrating excellence in animal care and welfare practices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SANCCOB Gqeberha Centre Achieves Certification from Global Humane for High Standards of Animal Safety, Welfare, and Wellbeing |url=https://www.americanhumane.org/press-release/sanccob-gqeberha-centre-achieves-certification-from-global-humane-for-high-standards-of-animal-safety-welfare-and-wellbeing/ |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=American Humane |language=en-US}}</ref>
== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.sanccob.co.za/}}
* [https://sanccob.co.za/annual-report/ Annual Reports]
* {{TED talk|dyan_denapoli_the_great_penguin_rescue|Dyan deNapoli: The great penguin rescue|Dyan deNapoli}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:1968 establishments in South Africa]]
[[Category:Environmental organisations based in South Africa]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1968]]
[[Category:Bird conservation organizations]]
[[Category:Seabirds]]
[[Category:Wildlife rehabilitation]]
[[Category:Animal welfare organisations based in South Africa]]