African penguin rescued at Ballito

“It is not everyday that you discover a penguin on your morning walk,” said Ballito resident Sarah Scheepers.

She and her husband Pierre were walking along the Ballito promenade at around 8.30am on Monday morning, when they caught sight of a penguin on the beach in front of Concha in Compensation Beach Road.

“Some ladies were trying to help it but they did not know what to do, so I called the vet,” said Sarah.

“My husband caught the penguin with his T-shirt and we drove it to the vet. It was very weak.”

uShaka Sea World came to collect the penguin from the Ballito Veterinary Clinic.

“Thankfully the young African penguin, which we have named Cappuccino, has no external injuries and appears to be in relatively good condition.

“Although she is weak, tired, thin and dehydrated, these ailments can be treated,” said Ann Kunz of uShaka Sea World.

Kunz said Cappuccino had probably lost her way and spent such a long time at sea without food or rest that she became too exhausted to remain out there.

She is currently in the hospital enclosure and will probably remain there for the next week or two while she regains her strength.

“It is always a good sign when stranded penguins show signs of hunger and an eagerness to eat the food that is offered.

Cappuccino started eating sardine tails on Monday night which is almost a record for a young stranded penguin in her condition,” said Kunz.

“Watching this small, four month old penguin eat with such gusto offers great hope that she will fully recover.”

Hopefully, within a few months, she will be flown to Port Elizabeth to join the penguins at SANCCOB Seabird Rehabilitation Centre to be prepared for release.