Internationally, October 12 is recognized as African Penguin Awareness Day. South Africans are painfully aware that our beloved “tuxedoed locals” might face extinction in the wild within the next few years. That’s why we are celebrating another milestone at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS).
Vuka Lou, an African Penguin, returns to her home colony on Dyer Island after 153 days of treatment and rehabilitation at APSS. “Vuka,” meaning “to rise” in Xhosa, was chosen for her strength in overcoming severe injuries, while “Lou” is in honour of the French International Marine Intern, who cared for her during her stay at the sanctuary.
Seabird Ranger on Dyer Island, Lwando Baleni found the penguin with a gaping wound exposing her hip. Harrowing pictures of her injury were sent to Wilfred Chivell, CEO of Marine Dynamics and Founder of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, who immediately dispatched a boat to rescue the penguin from the island—though he wasn’t sure if she would survive.
Senior Bird Rehabilitator Xolani Lawu and veterinarian Dr. Annamarie Robberts worked tirelessly on the injured bird. Dr Robberts described the injury: “It looked like someone had pulled down the penguin’s pants—her insides were completely exposed, with loose skin dangling just above her foot.” The team treated her with antibiotics, painkillers, and plenty of fresh sardines!
Chivell often refers to African Penguins as “the honey badgers of the ocean,” and Vuka Lou proved him right. From a wound that made volunteers cringe, she recovered to perfectly healed skin, sporting brand-new black-and-white tuxedo feathers. Vuka Lou ate well, gained weight, and was finally ready to reunite with her family on Dyer Island.
Her return was truly special. After taking a deep breath, Vuka Lou made her longest dive, feeling the salty sea water on her body for the first time in nearly six months. Two groups of African Penguins waddled over to the water’s edge to welcome her home!
A Big thank you to our conservation partners, CapeNature and Marine Dynamics, for assisting us in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing Vuka Lou, on Dyer Island. Dyer Island is managed by CapeNature.
If you can help us continue the important conservation work we do at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary, please consider donating. Your support helps penguins like Vuka Lou return to the wild and rebuild their dwindling colony.
