The Seabird and Penguin Rehabilition Centre (SAPREC) has been struggling to survive lockdown due to a lack of funds, and are having to care for birds in need on a daily basis.
As reported by SABC News, the organisation faced closure five years ago, and managed to receive enough donations to remain afloat. Now, they are in the same precarious position.
“I know everybody is tight and everybody is being asked for money and it’s very difficult, but our funding is drying up. These little penguins are highly endangered, they could be extinct within a decade if we don’t look after them and if we weren’t here, all these little penguins would have died. So if anybody would like to help us in any way, we have a wish list on our website www.saprec.org,” the organisation said.
SAPREC was established and recognised by CapeNature in March 2005. Carol Walton, who founded the centre, has been working with penguins and seabirds for over twenty years, with the help of Dr Frans de Graaff from Hartenbos Animal Hospital.
The African penguin as well as the Cape gannet are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
“It is our vision to the move the rehabilitation centre to a tourist area in Mossel Bay and build a wonderful facility to interact with our amazing seabirds,” the organisation said. “We are a registered Non Profit Organisation. We are registered for Tax Exemption so this is a wonderful opportunity to assist us! Please email or phone us for the Exemption Reference Number.”
“Should you wish to support SAPREC with funding, sponsorship, products or prizes no matter how big or small, we would be very grateful.”
Donations can be made in the following manners:
Donations: saprec.payfast.co.za
Banking details: Standard Bank Mosselbay, Acc No 082847665
Picture: SAPREC