SIMON'S TOWN PENGUIN FESTIVAL

BENEFICIARIES

SANCCOB: BACKGROUND INFORMATION

There were about 1.5 million adult African Penguins along the southern African coast in the 1930's. Human activities reduced this number by a staggering 90% in less than a century. The African Penguin, together with over a dozen other sea bird species found in South Africa, is considered to be threatened and vulnerable to extinction.
The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) aims to protect and conserve southern Africa's coastal birds, especially threatened species, for the benefit of present and future generations. Recent research by the Avian Demography Unit at the University of Cape Town has shown that the African Penguin population is 19% higher today than it would have been in the absence of SANCCOB's efforts in rehabilitation. SANCCOB has responded to every oil spill along the South African coast since 1968 and has helped to treat more than 82 000 sick, injured, orphaned and oiled sea birds.

Our efforts in conservation continue 365 days each year due to the fact that increasing numbers of our vulnerable sea bird species require rehabilitation year round.

Members of the public may contribute towards saving the African Penguin by donating funds and towels to SANCCOB: 22 Pentz Drive, Table View. Contact Darden Lotz to make a contribution:
Tel: 021-557-6155
e-mail info@sanccob.co.za
Visit SANCOB

BABOON MATTERS
Baboon Matters aims to raise levels of awareness and appreciation for these incredible creatures; perhaps through better understanding will come an acceptance and tolerance that will enable primates to learn to live alongside each other in harmony. The aim is to bridge the gap between the wild world of the Baboons and the civilised world of their human cousins.

The remaining Chacma Baboons on the southern peninsula (close to Cape Town), face a bleak future as continued urbanization reduces wilderness areas, resulting in on-going conflict situations between man and baboon. Due to the unacceptably high mortality rates it was predicted that within 15 years the baboons would face certain extinction. At the current mortality rate there will not be a viable baboon population on the peninsula within the next 10 years.

The Baboon Monitor Project was started in 1999 and over the past five years has considerably reduced the conflicts between primates by keeping baboons out of villages for 85% of days. The project employs 8 men from the nearby community of Masiphumelele. These men have been working closely with the baboons and have gained a wealth of wildlife experience as well as developing unique relationships with the baboons of the Da Gama and Slangkop troops. Funding for the Baboon Monitor Project is an on-going concern as pressing social issues dominate the current funding situation in South Africa.

It needs to be made clear that the baboons are an integral part of the history and heritage of the Cape; they are important to the eco-system; an attraction to the tourists and above all else we want to see them on the mountains in years to come.

Baboon Matters welcomes the initiatives of the Simon's Town Penguin Festival and its community in being environmentally aware and conscious of the issues concerned.

e-mail Baboon Matters jennit@cybersmart.co.za

GEESE cillabromley@mweb.co.za