We're going home! | Dyer Island Conservation Trust

On Friday 24 March, clients on the Marine Dynamics boat, Dreamcatcher, were delighted to find out that 4 extra VIP guests were onboard.

Four African Penguins that were rescued, treated and rehabilitated at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary in Kleinbaai, was ready to go back home – to the oceans surrounding Dyer Island.

“Because two adult penguins are released with the two younger penguins, they don’t have to be returned to Dyer Island, but can be released from Dreamcatcher, directly into the ocean, as close as possible to the island. They will follow the two adults, and will easily find their way back home” says CEO of Marine Dynamics and Founder of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, Wilfred Chivell.

According to Xolani Lawu, Senior Bird Rehabilitator at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary, with 15 years’ experience in treating injured and sick seabirds, “the one adult African Penguin was found on Dyer Island by the Dyer Island Conservation Trust bird ranger, Eduard Drost, with an old seal bite wound, that required treatment”. Eduard stays on the island, monitoring all nests and birds and reporting on all birds who need to be collected from the island, to be treated at the African Penguin and Seabird Center. “The other adult African Penguin also had a bad cut on his leg, but was an arrested moulter” Lawu explained.

Prior to their annual moult, penguins bulk-feed to build up fat reserves to sustain them during their moulting period. If a penguin is unable to gain sufficient weight, the moulting process may be halted. As the old feathers have by now become dried out and brown and are not waterproof anymore, these penguins cannot return to sea and will eventually starve to death on the shore.

According to Lawu, ‘when an “arrested moulter” arrives at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary, we can help kick-start the moulting process again through rehydration, a good supply of pilchards, additional supplements and patience”.

The two younger penguins were also from Dyer Island, Eduard noticed these two young birds who were a drastically underweight.

“The rescue and release of adult African penguins is a conservation triumph. To grow the African penguin population, we need to protect the adult birds. They need to go forth and multiply” says Chivell.

The Dyer Island Conservation Trust, through the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary is committed to making a difference and rebuilding the African Penguin population on Dyer Island.