Storm, the first ever African Penguin hatched at SAPREC on Friday 8 June, during a recent check-up.
MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Just over two weeks ago, nature and animal lovers were cooing over the birth of Storm, the first African Penguin chick ever to be hatched at SAPREC (Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Centre) in Mossdustria.
The African Penguin is an endangered species, with their numbers having dropped 50% in the past five years. If drastic measures are not implemented, the African Penguin could be extinct within the next decade.
Storm is doing well and having regular check-ups at the centre, but now, yet another challenge is to be surmounted before Storm and his species will be safe.
Since opening its doors in 2005, SAPREC has been instrumental in saving hundreds of seabirds and penguins in Mossel Bay and surrounding areas. However, SAPREC is facing serious financial needs and without urgent funding, the centre will face closure in the very near future. This will be a great setback, since this is the only rehabilitation centre serving the coastline between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.
"We will be heartbroken if we do have to close. If anybody can assist us financially to prevent this from happening, we will be extremely grateful," says Carol Walton of SAPREC.
SAPREC is a registered section 21 non-profit organisation and has a SARS tax exemption number for cash donations. Donations of any kind will help, as the centre also requires strong disinfectants, new oilskins, soft kitchen gloves, course salt and dishwashing liquid. These products are used on a daily basis.
The penguins are also fed top quality whole pilchards, as they run the risk of getting blood into their lungs when fed cut pilchards.
SAPREC's banking details are: Saprec (Pty) LTD, Standard Bank Mossel Bay, account number: 082847665.
Contact Carol Walton on 082 364 3382 for more information.
- Mossel Bay Advertiser
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