News of African Penguin foraging research on Robben Island, South Africa
Thursday, September 20, 2012
More oiled penguins found
The totals, of penguins oiled from the Seli 1 shipwreck this month found on Robben Island are now:
212 adult penguins sent to SANCCOB
32 associated chicks
2 oiled adult penguins found dead on the island
This week while penguin field work was conducted searches for oiled penguins and abandoned chicks continued. Currently during nest checks, any chicks that are underweight and could have been abandoned are sent to SANCCOB. The team found and caught 6 more oiled penguins overt the last two days and another underweight chick, taking the totals to those stated above. The oil on the birds caught has looked dry and indicates that the birds have had the oil on them for a while. The team completed penguin nest checks, chick growth and condition measurements. A few oiled birds sighted along Robben Island's coast have evaded capture. The team will return next week to continue the penguin breeding monitoring field work and make further attempts to catch the remaining oiled birds.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Oiled Penguins Continue Coming Ashore
An oiled penguin in the distance on Sandy Beach that was later caught by the EarthWatch/ADU team and is now one of many at SANCCOB.
The team making up more boxes...
and more boxes to transport oiled penguins.
Boxes holding oiled penguins to be sent to SANCCOB for treatment.
An abandoned penguin chick.
Boxes full of oiled penguins on the ferry from Robben Island to Cape Town where they are at the Nelson Mandela Gateway by SANCCOB.
Some of SANCCOB's dedicated staff even came out to Robben Island on the weekend to help the team catch more oiled penguins. There has also been assistance from volunteers from Robben Island community and abroad.
Nola Parsons, SANCCOB vet, inspecting a heavily oiled African Penguin.
Monday 10 September, the Oceans and Coasts, Department of Environmental Affairs South African Government sent a team to further search inland areas of the island and found a further 3 more oiled adult penguins and 6 abandoned chicks. This brings the totals of those caught to 197 oiled penguins, and 28 associated or abandoned chicks.
Catching oiled penguins has taken place mainly before sunset when penguins are coming ashore after foraging. Efforts will continue to catch the oiled penguins so they can be washed and rehabilitated at SANCCOB. For further news of the washing and rehabilitation efforts see SANCCOB http://www.sanccob.co.za/
The Robben Island Museum Environmental Officer, Mario Leshoro, sighted another oiled penguin on the coast today. A team of penguin researchers from UCT Animal Demography Unit will return to the island tomorrow to continue efforts to catch oiled birds so they can be sent to SANCCOB.
Further details of oily penguin rescue efforts that have taken place so far can be found at PenguinWatch http://penguins.adu.org.za/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)