African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary

About

The African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary is a key conservation project of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, registered as a non-profit organisation since 2006. 

Since its opening in 2015, the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary has welcomed local visitors, school groups and international tourists to share knowledge that will lead to the continued conservation and rehabilitation of African penguins and other seabirds.

Vision

• To ensure the implementation of innovative and dynamic protocols based on feedback
• To maintain best practices to achieve optimal rehabilitation success
• To contribute towards and participate in a workable oil spill contingency plan to service Overstrand’s coastline
• To continue networking with all relevant authorities and other bodies in the field of marine bird rehabilitation and conservation
• To provide a platform for furthering research into effective rehabilitation and release of marine birds to ensure the birds’ successful return to their colonies

Marine Animal Strandings

The African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary offers vital care for abandoned, injured, diseased, and oiled marine birds, with a dedicated focus on the endangered African Penguin. 

By welcoming tourists and school groups, the sanctuary plays a key role in educating visitors about the African Penguin and other vulnerable seabirds.

What to do if you find a stranded penguin or seabird

• Keep dogs and people away 
• Take a photo if possible (taking care not to disturb the bird) 
• Send the location and photo to the rescue line
• Do not feed the bird
• Do not put the bird back into the water

African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary Rescue: 

• Contact 1: 072 5987 117
• Contact 2: 082 9075 607

Turtles in Distress

The African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary is proud to be part of the Turtle Stranding Network.

The team will ensure turtles in need reach the Two Oceans Aquarium.

Turtle Strandings

Each year, thousands of loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles hatch on the beaches of northern KwaZulu-Natal, beginning their journey to the sea, where they are carried southward by the warm Agulhas Current. 

However, many hatchlings face intense predation and strong currents, leading them to the Cape's south coast. Stunned by the cold, weakened, and often injured, many eventually wash up stranded on Overstrand beaches. As sea turtles are temperate-water animals, they struggle in the icy Cape waters and require urgent assistance.

What to Do if You Find a Stranded Sea Turtle

Coming across a sea turtle on the beach or in the shallows is cause for concern and a quick response time is imperative for survival.

• Check if the turtle responds to touch (they often appear dead due to hypothermia)
• Stay away from their mouths (they can bite, especially when afraid)
• Do not put the turtle back in the water
• Keep the turtle dry 
• Use an open container to transport hatchlings (ice cream tub is perfect)
• Lift larger turtles by their shells if you have to move them
• Make sure the turtle is secure and can’t fall if you have to transport it on the back of a bakkie

Important

Please remember that, like humans, sea turtles must breathe air. If a turtle can't lift its head above water, is covered with a towel or sand, or is placed in a closed container, it will suffocate.

For turtle or any other marine animal strandings, notify the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary Rescue Line, and they will relay the information to the appropriate network.

• Contact 1: 072 5987 117
• Contact 2: 082 9075 607

Reviews

“Go to the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary at 15:00 to see the penguin feeding. The volunteers interact nicely with the birds and share lots of interesting information. There is also a cafe with cake and drinks. They also have a gift shop. 100% of all the profit from the cafe goes to the penguins. Local children have made bracelets and 100% of that profit also goes to the penguins. I enjoyed my visit.”  Coralie Pettenden

“African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary was amazing. What a wonderful conservation effort. We loved getting to know the penguins. The coffee and cake was also lovely.”  Ingrid de Wet

What a beautiful little sanctuary. It's free of charge to go in and it's jam-packed with info. The penguins are rehabilitated and well looked after. The lady on duty was knowledgeable about the penguins and answered all our questions. She was friendly and kind and we had a lovely time. There is a little coffee shop on site. You can also buy curios. There are beautiful, clean restroom facilities.” Jessica Viljoen

“African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary is a truly amazing place. They are at the cutting edge of conservation. They have friendly guides. Best coffee and cake! Magic gifts.”  Cabri van Zyl

“It's amazing that volunteers keep the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary afloat through their incredible hard work and commitment. The penguins are brought in from Dyer Island and cared for until they are old enough or fit enough to be returned to their natural habitat. You can take a walk-through and have a look at the penguins. There's also merch and coffee if that's your thing. They have clean bathrooms on site and best of all, the whole thing is free. There's no excuse - go there now!”  Duncan Alfreds