GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Another successful penguin release took place at Lookout beach on Saturday 26 April, commemorating two significant celebrations – World Penguin Day (25 April) and Freedom Day (27 April).

A crowd of onlookers came to enjoy the 10 penguins' new-found freedom, watching as they, among them Elias, Dublin, Flipper and Karolus, waddled back into the ocean.

"The turn-out was amazing as always," said Keri McMorran, animal keeper and managing director of Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre.

Role players

McMorran thanked Nature's Valley Trust that originally rescued some of the penguins and subsequently assisted with this release. 

She also lauded Robberg Veterinary Clinic for helping to get the penguins ready for release and providing the right treatment for injured and sick penguins so that they could be rehabilitated.

McMorran said SANParks went above and beyond to rescue penguins, "usually after hours, and get them to us safely".

She thanked Birdlife Plettenberg Bay for their year-round fundraising and the commentary provided on release day; Plett Stranding Network and CapeNature for rescuing penguins; and Ocean Sailing Charters who monitored the weather and ocean swells to ensure the penguins were released at the right time.

Peace of mind

SAPS also assisted in getting the penguins on the beach safely, and monitoring the crowd in a relaxed manner, "which gave us peace of mind so that we could focus on the penguins", and last but not least, she thanked the public who attended the release.

"It takes a village to save, raise and release them… Plett's never let us down! Without such a community we wouldn't be able to do what we do," added McMorran.

"We still have two penguins in our rehabilitation centre at Tenikwa, so we will hopefully see you all soon at the next release," she said.

Ten little penguins waddling out to sea...  Last look... ‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’