Adopt a penguin

There were about 1.5 million adult African Penguins along the southern African coast in the 1930’s. Human activities reduced this number by a staggering 90% in less than a century. The African Penguin, together with over a dozen other sea bird species found in South Africa, is considered to be threatened and vulnerable to extinction.

 Recent research by the Avian Demography Unit at the University of Cape Town has shown that the African Penguin population is 19% higher today than it would have been in the absence of SANCCOB’s efforts in rehabilitation.

You can help us to save a species by adopting an African Penguin.

10 MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How do I adopt a penguin?
To adopt a penguin, simply click on the green “Adopt a penguin” button at the top right hand side of this page. Complete and submit the form to SANCCOB (with proof of payment if you are making a direct deposit). Don’t forget to name your penguin (if you wish to).

2. How much does it cost to adopt a penguin?
It costs R500 to adopt one penguin.

3. Is the fee a once off payment?
It is a once off fee and the adoption (letter, certificate and photo for your individual penguin) is yours for life.

4. What is the exchange rate?
Currency exchange rates change constantly. To determine the exact exchange rate from South African Rand to your currency, contact your bank, use the internet or click here. SANCCOB will not determine the exchange rate for your currency, as we receive an enormous amount of queries from all over the world.

5. How long will it take to process my adoption?
Once payment is received, the application process takes a minimum of 10-15 working days, excluding posting time. All overseas adoptions are sent air-mail. Adoptions are processed in the order they are received.

6. How long does air-mail take?
Adoptions sent via air-mail may arrive within a week or a month, depending on the post office.

7. What will I receive in my adoption pack?
You will receive the following in your adoption pack:

• a letter of adoption-including a brief description of why your penguin received treatment at SANCCOB (View Example)

• a photograph of your penguin (View Example)

• a certificate of adoption (View Example)

8. Will I receive updates about the penguin I adopt?
Once you receive your adoption pack, you will be added to our database and you will receive our e- newsletters. You will not receive further correspondence from SANCCOB regarding your penguin. SANCCOB is a sea bird rehabilitation centre. We rescue, rehabilitate and release ill, injured, oiled and orphaned sea birds.

9. Will I be able to see the penguin I adopt?
You will probably not be able to see your penguin. SANCCOB releases the penguins back into the wild once they have completed their rehabilitation. Your penguin could end up at any number of colonies along the coast of South Africa.

10. Do I get to keep the penguin I adopt?
You do not get to keep the penguin. SANCCOB is a seabird rehabilitation centre. Our purpose is to rescue, rehabilitate and release ill, injured and oiled sea birds. When you adopt a penguin, you can rest assured that your bird was released back into the wild.

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