Overstrand Municipality urging Bettys Bay residents to report any African penguins covered in oil

The Overstrand Municipality is urging the public in Bettys Bay to report any African penguins covered in oil.

Oil patches have been washing ashore on the Silversand beach.

The cause of the oil patches is currently under investigation with CapeNature.

Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) officials state that oil near wildlife habitats has long term negative effects on the ecosystem.

Preparedness and Response Manager at SANCCOB, Monica Stassen said that oil strips birds of their waterproofing resulting in over grooming and death.

"African penguins are considered to be extremely vulnerable to the effects of oil spills. They can't fly. They feed in the shallow waters, kind of where the oil sits. And there has been a study that actually shows that the proximity of penguin colonies to oil spills can result in more birds being oiled.”

Stassen added that members of the public should call the necessary authorities immediately when finding an animal in distress.

The first thing they should do is either call the managing authority if it' close to the colony, if it's at Stony Point, to alert Cape Nature officials. And if not, if it's on a beach somewhere, then they must contact SANCCOB. We have a 24-hour emergency line.”