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A group of 44 penguins that are permanent residents at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds have a newly renovated home pen enclosure at the SANCCOB premises in Gqeberha.
This was made possible with the “generous” support of ISUZU MOTORS South Africa, covering the costs of the renovation which began in April and was completed at the end of July.
The official opening of the Home Pen took place on Tuesday with ISUZU and other stakeholders and provides a permanent home for the birds who cannot be returned to the wild “for various reasons” and will spend their remaining years at the centre.
“The renovated home pen not only provides the permanent seabirds with a more spacious area to call home but allows tour groups and environmental education programmes to get closer to view these incredible seabird species.
"We received a very generous donation from ISUZU MOTORS South Africa that covered the costs for the renovation of the home pen,” said SANCCOB CEO, Natalie Maskell.
She said they were excited about the impact that the home pen would have on the welfare of the penguins and the impact it would have on our environmental education programme and visitor experience.
ISUZU MOTORS South Africa said it recognises its impact on the environment and is committed to taking action by working with organisations such as SANCCOB in conservation efforts and promoting environmental education to preserve the planet’s natural resources and biodiversity.
“Our goal is to help create a sustainable future, not only for the seabirds in this sanctuary but for generations of people who will learn from and be inspired to do more to protect our natural resources and biodiversity,” said Lebogang Makoloi, Department Executive for Corporate Affairs.
SANCCOB said the endangered African penguin is a species in crisis, with population numbers at an all-time low of less than 8, 500 breeding pairs left in the wild in South Africa.
