We are globally united, Wolf

These are unprecedented times for us all during the fight against the global COVID-19 pandemic. We know now that physical distancing is necessary to reduce the spread of the virus so we have understandably had to close our doors for tours and visitors. This also means that events such as the Port Elizabeth auction has been postponed until further notice. We are hopeful that you and your families will exit these trying times with new found strength and once again put destination goals back into motion so that we will reconnect in a more positive future.
 
As an organisation carrying out essential services, the welfare of our seabird patients remains our priority and the SANCCOB team has maintained its dedicated drive in caring for seabird patients. As with many other organisations that rely on volunteer support, our international volunteer base has decreased and we are pulling out all the stops to maintain our life-saving conservation services. At present, we are at the peak of our annual egg season at SANCCOB and that means eggs hatching almost daily and more mouths to feed. Our Table View centre has admitted 300 abandoned African penguin eggs since January and all but 40 are still being incubated and yet to hatch in the next few weeks. Considering that most of the eggs were abandoned, we are pleased with the number of eggs that were still viable and successfully hatched. We currently have 120 chicks varying from tiny hatchlings to over 1.3kg being hand-reared in our Chick Rearing Unit and Nursery areas.
 
Did you know that you can ADOPT AN EGG at ZAR300 / $16 / £13 / €13 and support its incubation?
By adopting an African penguin egg you will contribute toward its incubation until ready to hatch, bringing a tiny chick into the world. Once hatched, we will hand-rear for three to four months until waterproof and strong enough to be released back to the wild population; the core objective of our Chick Bolstering Project. You can't name it as a Penguin Adoption but you will definitely feel proud to play your part in conserving the endangered African penguin species.
 
This egg adoption initiative is automated, which means you will receive your certificate of adoption online, making it also an ideal virtual gift option for someone dear. This might just be the perfect gift at a time when we cannot be close to our loved ones and stories of hope are needed to lift our spirits. Many who celebrate Easter all around the world will delight in this gift choice. Adopt an Egg and count on us to do our part to keep it incubated and monitored until a tiny chick emerges.
  It's been recorded that the South African population of the African penguin has declined by around 5,000 breeding pairs since 2012 and our interventions are needed more than ever.
With the support of our Penguin and Seabird Rangers on the ground at the penguin colonies, we are able to closely monitor nests and quickly rescue eggs. Eggs are rescued when in unsafe nesting areas and when excessive heat causes heat stress in the parent birds resulting in the abandonment of the eggs.

The daily monitoring by Rangers is enabled by successful partnerships with the Environmental Management Department of the City of Cape Town's Spatial Planning and Environment Directorate, CapeNature, South African National Parks (SANParks), Robben Island Museum and the Cape Town Environmental Education Trust (CTEET). We are proud to share that SANCCOB's 2019 release rate of hand-reared African penguin chicks was at an incredible 87% and it's all made possible by the support we receive and we thank you.
 

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COVID-19 Resources

You will find updated information on the Corona Virus pandemic at the following sites:

• South African Government
• World Health Organisation

Stay home. Stay safe. Stay well. Special Thank You

We wish to convey a heartfelt thank you to SPAR Eastern Cape for donating R35,000.00 to SANCCOB as one of the beneficiaries of their 'Penguin Classic' annual Charity Golf Day, as well as share our gratitude to all participating golfers and sponsors.

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Get Involved

To find out the ideal channel of support to partner with us, connect with Zainab Mouton at Zainab@sanccob.co.za and she will help you join the programmes that follow.

• Donate to our Visitor Centre capital project to provide an improved education experience on our premises in Table View. For further details of this exciting new project to enhance our education and visitor experience you can Read More Here.
• Join SANCCOB's Membership Programme at R300 per annum and be part of a special group of like-minded supporters with voting rights at our Annual General Meetings. Your annual fee also entitles you to a membership certificate, a tour for two at either of our centres and the newest addition will be a SANCCOB lapel pin. There is a special annual membership fee for senior citizens. 
• SANCCOB's Legacy Programme connects individuals, who share a vision for SANCCOB to be sustained in perpetuity. Get in touch if you wish to leave a gift in your Will or let us know if you have already nominated SANCCOB.
• The American Fund for Charities (AFC) will no longer operate after 30 April 2020 thus creating a void for US supporters who wish to receive a tax deduction for their donation. We will be in touch with individuals giving via AFC to share alternative mechanisms, currently under consideration.

Please note that if you no longer wish to receive news from us then follow the link at the end of this email to unsubscribe.

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Visits and Shopping Experience

• Tours and education lessons at our centres in Table View and Port Elizabeth have been temporarily paused and we will keep you informed when circumstances are improved.
• Our Online Shop remains active and we will fulfil applicable order shipping after lockdown from mid-April 2020, dependent on our South African Government's stance at that time. You are welcome to shop online in the interim.