On June 14, while walking on the Jeffreys Bay Main Beach, local resident, Derek Dowd, came across a small penguin just sitting on the beach.
He realised it was in distress, captured it and delivered it to the Oribi Animal Clinic.
Jeffreys Bay’s local seabird rescuer, Trumie Lategan, took it into her care after identifying it as a juvenile African penguin.
It was cared for and then delivered to SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) in Gqeberha.
It was established that, unfortunately, the juvenile African penguin is completely blind in the right eye and partially blind in the left. He was put on an emaciation plan to help him gain weight and stabilise.
After stabilisation, his swimming ability will be tested to see if he is viable for release.
Members of the public are encouraged to contact Trumie Lategan at 082 929 9112 when they encounter sea birds of this kind, to enable rescues of this nature.
Penguins should not sit on the beach; it is an immediate sign that they are unwell.
If rescued, they will be cared for appropriately.
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