Suzelle DIY and her bestie Marianne visited SANCCOB and spread the penguin love…because anybody can!
Cape Town, South Africa (26 March 2026) – The penguin-loving team at SANCCOB is currently working through one of their busiest seasons to date. Cheeps have filled the seabird nursery as they celebrate a record-breaking number of new hatchlings!
Over 180 hungry, growing chicks have hatched already, and there are over 100 more still incubating. Every single African penguin hatchling is hand-reared for the best possible chance at survival. Eventually, they’re released back into the sea where they belong.
South African icon Suzelle DIY and her bestie Marianne recently waddled into SANCCOB’s centre to learn more about our local penguin heroes and how they have protected the species – and other seabirds – for almost 60 years!
Suzelle and Marianne’s outing places a much-needed spotlight on SANCCOB. As much as the record number of hatchlings are a reason to celebrate, they are also a reason to support.
The demand that comes with hand-rearing hundreds of little penguin chicks is enormous. Each one requires feeding and medical care. Specialised equipment and disinfectants are also needed to protect them from disease and keep the nursery functioning.
There are many different ways to support SANCCOB. If you’re in Cape Town or Gqeberha, both centres welcome visitors and host daily tours – if your timing is right (and you book in advance) you might even get to enjoy the special experience of seeing penguins feed!
If being involved hands-on is more your thing, SANCCOB also encourages applications for long‑term interns who can assist with feeding and caring for the chicks. It offers structured four and six-month internships, with all training provided onsite! Essentially, you can become an African penguin hero and earn good working experience doing it.
If you’re nowhere near the coast, a campaign that launched recently allows supporters to ‘adopt’ a penguin egg. Your R300 contribution makes a meaningful difference in helping SANCCOB look after newcomer hatchlings. Follow this link to show your penguin love…because anybody can!
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