One of our social impact programmes is working with SANCCOB on the Penguin Conservation Project at Dyer Island, off the coast of Gansbaai near the southern most point of Africa. The African Penguin numbers on Dyer Island are in rapid decline.

In 1979, Dyer Island had a penguin population of about 23,000 breeding pairs, It is now 1,200 pairs – a more than 90% drop in 30 years. When guano was removed, penguins were forced to nest in the open on the rocky island surface.

The Dyer Island Conservation Trust in partnership with Cape Nature, has embarked on a programme to introduce artificial nests providing vitally important shelter for breeding penguins. We chose this project because of the resemblance between the penguins and the original uniforms worn by our therapists.

We decided to turn this good-natured teasing into a worthwhile conservation project. We raise funds annually to sponsor towards the nesting project and have already reached platinum status.

SANCCOB is a leading marine-orientated, non-profit organization which has treated more than 95 000 oiled, ill, injured or abandoned endangered African penguins and other threatened seabirds since being established in 1968.
Independent research confirms that the wild African population is 19% higher due to SANCCOB’s conservation efforts.

It is an internationally recognized leader in oiled wildlife response, rehabilitation and chick-rearing; contributes to research which benefits seabirds; trains people to care for the birds and educates the public to develop behavioural patterns which benefit marine life and the environment it depends on.