At present, the jackass penguin is listed as a "vulnerable endemic species of south-western Africa because it has lost at least three quarters of its population this century". Currently, they breed on 24 islands and offshore rocks and at three mainland sites between Namibia and Bird Island (off Algoa Bay, on the south coast of South Africa).

Penguins are thought to mate for life. Each pair generally breeds once a year. Two eggs are laid which are incubated for about 40 days. One parent tends the nest while the other forages at sea. The roles are reversed in the evening. The chicks become independent after about eight days and then take to the sea.

Most birds forage in a group of ten - within a feeding range of about 20 kilometres from the colony. Adults can swim at speeds of up to 12 kilometres per hour. They generally dive down to depths of about 30 meters, but can go down to about 130 meters.

In the early 1900's, it is estimated that there were nine million penguins frequenting Dassen Island off the Western Cape coast.The photo shows the poulation during 1930. The population decreased by more than 50 percent between 1956 and 1978.

A number of causes for the reduction have been cited. Lack of food supply is the main cause. Pilchard stocks have become very limited due to over-fishing in the South African and Namibian waters.

Penguin eggs were collected commercially for food (500 000 eggs were removed from Dassen Island in 1925, for instance). Lastly, oil spills and competition for breeding space with Cape fur seals has greatly reduced numbers.

After the closure of the Suez Canal in 1967, it became increasingly evident that oil discharged from the vessels now rounding the Cape of Good Hope was having a major impact on the seabird population.

In 1968 alone, there were 11 tanker accidents in South African waters. The most notorious of these, in its effect on seabirds, was the German tanker, the "Esso Essen", which released 15 000 tons of crude oil when it struck a submerged object off the Cape Peninsula.

Some 3 000 penguins and 500 soiled gannets were collected and taken to the SPCA. Volunteers scrubbed them down with sunlight soap and shampoo and fed them stockfish dipped in vegetable oil.

Because of the lack of knowledge on how to treat soiled penguins at the time, many died. The reason why the oil from the coated feathers has to be removed as soon as possible, is to restore the insulation, without which they will dehydrate.The population on Dassen Island has unfortunately decreased onsiderably.(Photo on the left was taken during 1985) Since then, techniques to clean birds have improved considerably. Today survival rates range between 60 and 95 percent, depending on the nature of the oil coating and physical state of the seabird.
This situation prompted Mrs Althea Westphal and her friends to establish the first "rescue station" at her house in Newlands (Cape Town) in 1968. Mrs Westphal approached various conservation societies and oil and shipping companies to establish a foundation to help conserve these coastal seabirds.
That is how SANCCOB - the South African National Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds came into being.

One of the first steps taken by SANCCOB was to request a law prohibiting the collection of penguin eggs. In January 1971, the "rescue station" moved to premises in Wetton, and finally, in 1983 to the current premises at Rietvlei, Milnerton.

TREATMENT OF SOILED BIRDS

Upon arrival at SANCCOB, oiled birds are thoroughly washed in 20 litres of warm water to which a cleansing agent has been added. Then they are hosed down to prevent dehydration. Each bird is weighed and marked with an identification ring on its left flipper. The birds are fed six pilchards per day. Once the rehabilitation process is complete, the penguins are transported to Robben Island by ferry. They usually survive well and breed successfully, once back in the wild. Some penguins have been found in a healthy state carrying a ring that was put on 15 years ago. Others have been brought back soon afterwards, soiled again by oil.

SANCCOB'S OBJECTIVES

The prime objective of SANCCOB is to promote the protection and conservation of marine birds in South African and Namibian waters through public education. They strive to do regular surveys of seabird populations and to monitor the survival of seabirds. They also promote scientific research into methods of conservation. Finally, SANCCOB promote and strive to see more rescue and rehabilitation stations being set up.
SANCCOB also treat sick and maimed seabirds. Gulls may become infected with botulism from a contaminated food supply. Some birds may have plastic in their crops or nylon fishing line around their feet.

Maimed birds normally have spinal injuries or only one eye. They may not be able to fend for themselves in the wild, but they can still produce healthy chicks. For this reason, a penguin-breeding pen has been established at the centre. Special breeding sites have been created and there is a large pool carrying 60 000 litres of water. Lastly, a lecture hall has been built at the centre where slide shows and lectures are presented to school children and visiting groups.