SANCCOB Seabird Rehabilitation Centre is struggling to stay afloat as the lack of visitors resulted in a drastic loss of income.
Fewer staff also means harder work and longer hours. ‘We are utilising skeleton staff while caring for sea bird patients at this time, along with limited local volunteers and international volunteers, who are not yet able to return to their home countries. Due to the very nature of our work, we rely heavily on volunteers, from the rescue and collection of sea birds to the hands-on rehabilitation work at our centres,’ SANCCOB response manager Nicky Stander told IOL.
‘The concerning factor during lockdown is that beaches are closed and the public are prohibited from walking along the coastline, which means sea birds in distress are not being recovered. Not only has this highlighted the important role the general public plays in the rescue of sea birds, it has reminded us how fragile the sea bird populations are,’ Stander added.
World of Birds, another sanctuary that cares for to birds, monkey, small mammals and reptiles are under pressure. To keep all staff employed, all employees have taken a salary cut.
‘Even while staff are earning less, we have some staff who are working 6/7 days a week,’ said general manager Hendrik Louw, according to IOL.
To find out more, donate or ‘adopt a penguin’, visit www.sanccob.co.za
To help World of Birds, visit their BackaBuddy campaign
Image credit: Instagram/sanccob
