RELEASED! Dug & Gill our loveable adopted Penguin DUO have been released into our wild African seas, after spending 130 days at SANCCOB. This long wait, was due to the recent Avian Influenza lock down at SANCCOB Cape Town, but has since been lifted.

We were elated to receive news of the release date and naturally had to be part of this truly wonderful occasion.   A drive out to Betty’s Bay Stony Point Penguin Colony, on a beautiful Thursday, is not a hard ask!  
A couple of checks were done at the centre before the penguins could be released e.g. they let them swim continually in their pond for 2 hours, to ensure that they were strong enough and did not get tired from swimming. Then each penguin’s skin was checked to make sure that it was dry and that their feathers remained waterproof.

24 Penguins were released at the Stony Point Colony, some adults and some juveniles (Blue’s as they are called).  Our penguins were in a box that had to be carefully carried down to the release point – Dug and Gill were very eager and busy, trying to nibble at my fingers through the holes in the box.

Slowly I tipped our box over and had to encourage and nudge them to come out.  The one “Blue” to my left climbed out of his volunteers’ box and climbed straight into mine, wary to leave. We all had a quiet chuckle!  It wasn’t long before they realised what was happening and waddled out of the box, down the beach and into the big blue.

DuGill is truly honoured to have taken part in this initiative with SANCCOB and have learned so much about the role we all play & the impact everyone’s support truly has.  Thank you to SANCCOB’s team, interns and volunteers for the great work that they do!

#Watch this space…

Learn more about this wonderful organisation and how you can support them: www.sanccob.co.za

DuGill shared the love this February with SANCCOB Saves Seabirds by taking part in their amazing initiative. By adopting and naming rehab penguins, we help contribute toward their rehabilitation and eventual release.

You can also support this great initiative by following the link below:
https://adopt.sanccob.co.za/get-involved/adopt-a-penguin/

Meet DUG & GILL, our adopted duo!

SANCCOB Saving Southern African Seabirds since 1968.

WHAT THEY DO:

SANCCOB provides a 24/7 rescue service for sick and injured seabirds and abandoned chicks.  They respond to oil spill disasters along the South African coastline. SANCCOB is recognised internationally as a leader in the field of seabird rehabilitation, they treat 2500 injured, sick and oiled seabirds annually. They also have a specialist chick rearing unit that saves African Penguin eggs and chicks that have been abandoned, for subsequent release back into the wild. With regards to Oiled Wildlife, SANCCOB works with various stakeholders to ensure authorities take appropriate preparedness action to mitigate oil spill risks.

Team DuGill CT heard the call from the COCT and Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis to act and get involved for a cleaner Cape Town. Our DuGill CapeTown branch situated in Somerset West got together on 6 December to do just that. It was a hot and windy day on the beach which blew rubbish into the dunes and grassy embankments to make it look like we were picking ornaments off Christmas trees. Caps and metal forks, to the usual plastic straws and lids, plastic and glass bottles, as well as chips wrappers filled our bags quickly.

Other than heading the call for a cleaner home and doing our part, it was also a great team building experience, involving the kids too. The afternoon was ended with nice cool Ice Cream.

We encourage our customers and distributors alike, to join us by keeping our cities clean. The team felt that it was such a great initiative that we decided this will remain an ongoing drive. Let’s keep OUR cities clean!