The Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Center (SAPREC) located in Mosselbay, South Africa. SAPREC was established and recognized by Cape Nature in March 2005. Carol Walton, founder of SAPREC, has been working with penguins and sea birds for over twenty years.
Carol initially started rehabilitating sick and injured penguins and sea birds in her garage. Over time and with the help of a local veterinarian, Dr. Frans de Graaff, from Hartenbos Veterinary Clinic and Cape Nature, Carol established the rehabilitation center in Mossdustria, Mosselbay. Dr. de Graaff has been a huge pillar of support to the sanctuary by giving his time and most of his treatments for free. However, there are still many medical expenses SAPREC faces every month.
African Penguins are an indicator species, meaning they are our warning sign of a collapsing ecosystem. Currently there are only 14,000 breeding pairs left in the world. African Penguins are threatened by pollution created by humans such as plastic pollution and oil spills. However, the largest threat facing African Penguins is overfishing. Many of the sea birds being rehabilitated are under threat and are in dire need of centers like SAPREC to help with the fight against the decline in biodiversity. The African Penguin as well as the Cape Gannet are classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Over the course of the past fourteen years SAPREC has rescued and successfully rehabilitated 602 African Penguins, 200 Seagulls and 100 Gannets. That’s almost 1,000 animals helped by SAPREC that wouldn’t have had any hope and more are being rescued every day.
SAPREC is a non-profit organization that relies on sponsorship's and donations. Unfortunately 2020 may be the last year they are able to operate due to not having enough financial support as well as medical resources and food for all the rescued seabirds, so our team created a GoFundMe campaign in an effort to help SAPREC continue their work.
We need your help. We need to raise $35,000 to keep SAPREC’s doors open so they can continue their efforts in aiding our seabirds. With just a small contribution you could make a huge difference in the life of these African Penguins.
- $10.00 = de-worming pills / month
- $25.00 = electrolytes / month
- $50.00 = antibiotics / month
- $75.00 covers the anti-malaria pills for all resident and incoming birds per month
- $100.00 = Water bill to keep injured birds clean as well as providing the pool to help water proof the animals before release/ month
- $100.00= Electricity bill / month
- $100.00= Food (Fish, Pilchards) for all / one week. This is the largest expense that the center faces.
Carol Walton Founder of SAPREC says: “I’m just putting out a plea, not for me but for these dear little African Penguins that need all the help they can get, and anybody who is prepared to donate just a small amount, and if everybody, lots of people, donate a little amount it will be a huge difference for us in saving the African Penguin”.
With the nearest seabird rehabilitation centers being located in Plettenberg Bay (2.5 hours away) and Gansbaai (4 hours away) it’s imperative that we take every step necessary to keep SAPREC open and able to help our sea birds. Any help you can give, whether it’s sharing this fundraiser on social media, donating a small amount or making the step to help educate others…every single bit of support helps. Please help us save the African Penguin.