Rescued sea bird recovers at wildlife centre

A JUVENILE Cape gannet which was stranded on a beach was rescued by the SPCA and is well on her way to recovery at the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (Crow) in Yellowwood Park.

Overjoyed that the bird was making a speedy recovery, the centre’s operations director and herpetologist, Clint Halkett-Siddall, said the bird was being hand fed by a team of nurses since he arrived.

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“We are providing round-the-clock care to this remarkable creature. We are thrilled to witness his swift recovery and are pleased to note that he has now started to eat by himself.

“It’s important to note that the Cape Gannet is classified as a threatened species. Their population faces challenges in the wild, making conservation efforts vital for their survival. At Crow, we are committed to protecting and rehabilitating these beautiful birds, and every admission counts. The centre is permitted to treat all Threatened or Endangered Species (ToPS),” said Halkett-Siddall.

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Cape Gannets are easily recognised for their eye-catching black and white plumage which appears silky, giving them a graceful, swan-like appearance.

They have distinguishing black lines around the beak and on the face. The long, pale blue bill is pointed with serrations close to the tip and the feet are large and webbed between each toe.

From a height of 30 metres, Cape Gannets can dive about 10 metres under water while on a mission to catch their piece of the seafood buffet.

Cape Gannets feed on shoaling fish such as sardines and pilchards, eating up to 300g daily.

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