SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds)

Cape Town's identity is inseparable from its coastline and marine wildlife, yet the city's seabirds face extraordinary pressure. SANCCOB exists because penguins, cormorants, and seabirds are integral to the ecosystem that makes the Cape what it is. The organisation rescues oiled birds after spills, treats injured wildlife, and runs rehabilitation programmes that send healthy birds back to the ocean. Beyond rescue, SANCCOB educates schools and communities about coastal conservation, runs breeding programmes for endangered species, and monitors population health. For a city built around the Atlantic, supporting seabird conservation isn't charity—it's protecting the natural systems that define Cape Town's character and ecological wellbeing. When oil spills or algal blooms threaten local bird populations, SANCCOB's rapid response and long-term research become critical infrastructure for the environment Capetonians depend on.