Seabird ICU and Nursery in Gqeberha, South Africa Underway
Today, Global Humane Society (GHS), the international arm of American Humane Society, is excited to announce the launch of a major conservation initiative unfolding on the southern tip of Africa. The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) will soon establish the Global Humane Society Seabird Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Nursery.
The new Seabird ICU and Nursery will dramatically strengthen SANCCOB’s ability to provide life-saving care to the most vulnerable seabirds, including abandoned chicks and critically injured or severely emaciated seabirds rescued after enduring prolonged periods without adequate food. This dedicated facility will be instrumental in advancing SANCCOB’s mission to prevent the extinction of the African Penguin. By enabling faster, more specialized treatment and rehabilitation, the ICU and Nursery will help return more African Penguins and other threatened seabirds to the wild, directly contributing to the survival and recovery of this critically endangered species.
Global Humane Society is providing significant funding for the Seabird ICU and Nursery and is supporting SANCCOB’s efforts to raise additional funds needed to give this vital care for seabirds, particularly the Critically Endangered African Penguin. Population levels are dangerously low, and without swift intervention, scientists warn the species faces a very real risk of extinction within the coming decade.
“This seabird intensive care unit and nursery is critically needed to strengthen lifesaving rescue and rehabilitation efforts for African Penguins as the species races toward extinction,” said Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of Global Humane Society. “The waters these extraordinary animals call home are increasingly threatened by heavy shipping traffic, the risk of devastating oil spills, and severe food shortages driven by overfishing. Every moment matters. Global Humane Society is committed to doing all we can to help protect and preserve this vulnerable population before it is too late.”
“The African Penguin is on the brink of extinction, and without immediate, decisive intervention, we could witness the disappearance of one of South Africa’s most iconic and beloved seabird species within our lifetime,” said Natalie Maskell, Chief Executive Officer of SANCCOB. “The Global Humane Society Seabird ICU and Nursery represent far more than a new facility — it is a critical lifeline for vulnerable African Penguins and other threatened seabirds in desperate need of specialized care. This investment strengthens SANCCOB’s ability to rescue, rehabilitate, and release more seabirds back into the wild, while reinforcing the urgent global responsibility we share to protect our ocean biodiversity before it is too late.”
This initiative is just one of many programs Global Humane Society supports in Southern Africa through the Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa, an organization dedicated to conserving, rewilding and protecting Africa’s wildlife and wilderness areas.
To learn more about Global Humane Society, please visit globalhumane.org.
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About Global Humane Society:
Global Humane Society is the international brand of American Humane Society, which is the United States’ first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare, helping to verify the humane treatment of more than one billion animals across the globe each year. American Humane Society has been at the forefront of virtually every major advancement in the humane movement to rescue, care for and protect animals. For more information or to support our life-changing work, please visit www.AmericanHumane.org, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram and subscribe to our channel on YouTube for the latest breaking news and features about the animals with whom we share our Earth.
About the Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa:
The Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa (GH-CFA), an initiative under Global Humane Society, is deeply committed to the preservation and protection of Africa’s wildlife and wilderness areas. As the international brand of American Humane, the oldest national animal welfare organization in the United States, Global Humane Society’s mission resonates with a legacy of nearly 150 years of pioneering efforts. Based in South Africa, GH-CFA focuses on conserving, rewilding, and safeguarding Africa’s diverse ecosystems and wildlife. Through our strategic initiatives – Space for Species, Wildlife & Biodiversity, and Conservation for Communities – we strive to create safe habitats, enhance genetic diversity, and promote the interconnectedness of all species. For more information, please visit www.GlobalHumane.africa, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram and subscribe to our channel on YouTube for the latest breaking news and features about the animals with whom we share our Earth.
