A powerful example of community-driven conservation unfolded this July in Mossel Bay.
Disci, a permanent resident at our partner Saprec’s sanctuary, bonded with Domi in 2016, becoming a devoted partner and an exceptional father, despite physical limitations. He’s raised strong, healthy chicks year after year that are released into the wild. His legacy is life passed on. Read more about Disci.
In July, 2026 Disci and Domi welcomed two chicks, Fletcher and Pamela, thanks to coordinated action across organizations. When Disci’s age made caring for two chicks unsafe, Saprec made a thoughtful decision. Keep one egg with its parents and transfer the second egg to Hartenbos Animal Hospital for incubation and hand-raising.
Fletcher hatched and remains under the devoted protection of his biological parents, who demonstrated extraordinary bonding and vigilance.
Pamela’s hatch required careful human intervention after she stopped progressing inside the egg. Through the expertise of Dr Cailin Fourie, Dr Frans de Graaff, and Sr Stefanie de Graaff, she entered the world safely.
When Fletcher and Pamela are old enough, they will be released into the wild to continue their lives as part of an African penguin colony.
This story highlights what effective conservation truly requires: collaboration, compassion, and adaptive decision-making. A reminder that protecting endangered species is never a solo effort. It’s a network of care.