This species has been uplisted to Endangered because recent data has revealed that it is undergoing a very rapid population decline, probably as a result of commercial fisheries and shifts in prey populations. This trend currently shows no sign of reversing, and immediate conservation action is required to prevent further declines ~IUCN Red List
Marine Rehabilitation and Education Program
Come help save our only penguin that is quickly diminishing from this earth! The South Africa Marine Rehabilitation & Education Centre (SAMREC) is located in the unspoiled Cape Recife Nature Reserve and rescues all marine birds along the Port Elizabeth coast line from PE onto Woody Cape. Close by the reserve, there are awesome views of Algoa Bay and wonderful beaches that Port Elizabeth offers. All efforts are put forth to rescue, rehabilitate and release these li’l buggers back to the wild!
Volunteer Penguin Rescue Program: As well as learning about the life- cycle and conservation of the African Penguin, which is an endangered species, volunteers will also be hands – on as you are being taught how to catch, hold, feed and tube feed these wonderful birds. Volunteers will also be involved with the many other tasks that need to be carried out daily including the preparation of fish, cleaning of facility, pools and mats, sterilizing syringes and many more things. The training you will receive by SAMREC will allow you to handle the birds safely. Volunteer will also be able to assist in the educational department, teaching all the urban and rural under privileged children about the beauty of nature and assist in tours of SAMREC. Once you have completed the project, you will leave with great memories and would have had a life changing experience.
Volunteer tasks will include:
- General assistance where ever possible
- Assist in Feeding/rehabilitating of the African Black Footed Penguin
- Involvement in Sea School Program- Education and outreach programs
- Assisting of the field guiding of the Cape Recife Nature Reserve
- Working closely with consulting vets
- Assisting in analyzing and taking blood from various animals
- Assisting on marine rescues
- Tour guides for the facility
What we expect from a volunteer:
- Volunteers will start work from 7:30 to 16:00 daily (flexible)
- Work 5 days a week
- Be prepared to do physical work, from cleaning , general maintenance and what ever task is assigned to you by management or supervising volunteer from SAMREC
- Be able to assist on any emergency and after hour duties when they occur; rescues, medicating of the animals etc
- Be wanting to learn and ready to educate once trained
- Be fit and ready to assist on any field guiding excursion
What volunteers will be able to learn while volunteering:
- Rehabilitation Techniques
- Feeding Penguins
- Tube feeding of penguins
- Blood analyzing for diseases
- Assisting in any oil spill/emergency situation
- be able to assist in our SAMREC Sea School educational program
- Bird identification in the Cape Recife Nature Reserve
- Plant identification
- Spoors and tracking identification