Last month, Zoo staff Jenny and Sarah traveled to South Africa to assist our conservation partners at SANCCOB—the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds. During their fieldwork, Jenny and Sarah worked hands-on with African penguins in various stages of care, supporting SANCCOB’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and release seabirds in need.
While on site, Jenny and Sarah supported daily operations in two critical areas. In the nursery, they cared for penguin chicks requiring four feedings a day, many of which had been admitted due to abandonment. They also spent time in the rehabilitation pens, assisting with penguins ranging in age from juveniles to adults. Most of the penguins in this area were recovering from conditions such as heat stress or being severely underweight.
Their work included feeding, food preparation, preparing medications, cleaning, and holding birds during medical exams. As part of their time in the field, Jenny and Sarah also took part in an African penguin release, where 21 birds were returned to the wild at Boulders Beach. While there, they spoke with a local ranger who shared that Cape gulls and mongooses are among the main predators of penguin eggs. Jenny noted that this experience served as a reality check for how dire things really are for African penguins.
Their trip is part of the Maryland Zoo’s broader commitment to supporting African penguin conservation efforts, both locally and globally, through active fieldwork and partnerships with organizations like SANCCOB.
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