The main objective of the South African Rehabilitation and Education Centre (SAMREC) based at Cape Recife in Port Elizabeth is to save and rehabilitate the endangered African Penguins which is found on the islands in Algoa Bay. Once the whole rehabilitation process is completed, the penguins are released back into the bay to return to their colonies. I was very fortunate to be at such an event the other day where ten penguins were released.
After the crates that they were transported in to the beach were overtunred, the penguins headed for the water. Eight of them were still juviniles while the other two were dressed in their full adult “tuxedoes”.
When they got to the water they seemed a bit hesitant to enter and only after a while and some coaxing headed off into the waves.
Follow my leader
There was a large group of school kids on a beach outing and after the release the teacher asked SAMREC’s Animal Manager, Jared Harding, to explain to them what just happened.
Don't they look cute waddling out and swimming together! What a wonderful job SAMREC are doing! Lucky children to have a free lesson in wildlife rehabilitation – at the right spot at the right time!
Very Cool! I loved the ZA penguins at the Boulders. Could watch them and their antics forever. A great program and even better that kids where there. And you too of course.
That must've been neat to watch.