On 3 February 2015, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) launched its African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) during a function hosted at the Two Oceans Aquarium. As part of the evening’s proceedings, Dr Pat Garratt, CEO of the Two Oceans Aquarium, presented the DICT with a donation of R100 000 towards the project.

These funds were raised through various initiatives at the Aquarium, including the frog hall wishing well and penguin encounters, as well as the “Donate to Conservation” button on our online shop page.

“Partnerships with institutions like the Two Oceans Aquarium and their support of our work enable us to take our conservation efforts to the next level. This incredible donation to the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary is an overwhelming vote of confidence from a respected world-recognised organisation. Thank you,” said Wilfred Chivell, founder of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust.

“We have always appreciated the enormous efforts that Wilfred Chivell and his team have put into conservation, and we literally jumped at the opportunity to contribute to their marvellous penguin and seabird sanctuary,” said Dr Pat Garratt. “What a pleasure it is to further cement our relationship with their great organisation. And, regarding the African penguin, we cannot afford to wait one more day or unnecessarily lose one more animal.”

Dr Pat Garratt, CEO of the Two Oceans Aquarium, presents the donation cheque to Wilfred Chivell of Dyer Island Conservation Trust

The APSS is currently being built in Kleinbaai, near Gansbaai, and is set to officially open on 26 February 2015. The aim of the facility is to rehabilitate seabirds without having to move them out of the area. With one of the three African penguin colonies in the Western Cape just off the coast of Gansbaai on Dyer Island, the facility will provide valuable support for this endangered species.

The completed facility will:

• Provide immediate medical attention to marine birds in need
• House staff trained in animal rehabilitation
• Perform critical research on local seabirds
• Educate local people and tourists on environmental conservation
• Release rehabilitated marine birds back to their original capture sites

Follow APSS on Facebook and Twitter, as well as #everybirdcounts

An artist’s impression of what the new African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary in Kleinbaai will look like

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