Marine biologist and trip leader Kirshia Govender was paddling with a group off Mouille Point in Cape Town, South Africa when she encountered an injured African penguin in the water. Govender then worked to help the penguin onto her spray deck and paddle the bird to safety at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB).
Kayaker and marine biologist rescues endangered African penguin off coast of Cape Town
Govender wrote on Instagram that a young African penguin surfaced on the return trip of their paddle and began circling the kayaks. Immediately, Govender recognized something was amiss with the penguin’s behavior, and moved closer to assess the penguin. It was shortly after that the penguin hopped up onto Govender’s kayak and into her arms, as can be seen in the video.
With the penguin out of the water, Govender noticed the bird had a bite wound on its chest. The group then decided to take the penguin back to shore and to SANCCOB for specialized care.
SANCCOB is a nonprofit committed to reversing declining seabird populations, with an emphasis on critically endangered species, most especially the African penguin. Their goal is to rescue, rehabilitate and eventually release endangered seabird species. SANCCOB has an 80% success rate of releasing African penguins rehabilitated in their centres.
African penguins are considered a critically endangered species. One of the smallest species of penguin, these birds live on the rocky South African coast. According to SANCCOB, only an estimated one percent of the population of African penguins remains.
Rescued African penguin expected to be rehabilitated and released back into the wild
Govender shared on social media that it took about half an hour to paddle back to shore with her new feathery friend seated in her lap. Additionally, Govender wrote that she has worked with African penguins in the past and is familiar with their sharp beaks and nasty pecks, but didn’t experience any aggression from the penguin in her lap, who rested against her shoulder and seemed content.
In the video, Govender can be seen holding the penguin in her lap next to her PFD and on top of her spray deck, while talking encouragingly to both the penguin and her group of paddlers.
The penguin is now recovering at SANCCOB thanks to Govender’s rescue and according to a Travel News article, SANCCOB shared that the penguin will be released soon. SANCCOB also warned travelers that approaching wild birds can be dangerous.
But, but, but… I thought that penguins only lived in Greenland!