A conservation initiative linking the UK and South Africa has taken flight, as Birdworld in Farnham expands its global efforts to protect the critically endangered African penguin.

Mandy Glass, Conservation Education Team Lead at Birdworld, recently travelled to Cape Town for a two-week placement with SANCCOB (the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds). The organisation is internationally recognised for its hands-on approach to seabird conservation, guided by its core principles: rescue, rehabilitation, and education.

During her time in South Africa, Mandy worked closely with SANCCOB’s education team, contributing to a wide range of activities. These included visiting local schools to support environmental lessons, leading tours of the rehabilitation centre to help raise funds, and participating in outreach events aimed at recruiting volunteers. She also assisted in the rescue and care of injured seabirds, gaining direct insight into frontline conservation work.

A key part of the visit involved sharing educational resources between the two organisations. Activities, games, and teaching materials were exchanged to enhance learning experiences for audiences in both the UK and South Africa.

Among the highlights was a visit to Robinvale High School, where students explored issues such as marine pollution and conservation actions they could take in their daily lives. Pupils also engaged with a taxidermy penguin used to demonstrate the species’ unique adaptations and the devastating effects of oil spills.

Mandy also accompanied students from Parow Inclusive School on a tour of SANCCOB’s facilities and a birdwatching excursion to Table Mountain Nature Reserve. There, students learned about climate change, habitat loss, and the importance of protecting wetland ecosystems.

Reflecting on her experience, Mandy described it as both rewarding and affirming. She noted the strong alignment between Birdworld and SANCCOB’s missions, highlighting how each organisation contributes differently but complementarily to conservation efforts. While SANCCOB operates on the ground, rescuing birds, advocating for policy changes, and educating local communities, Birdworld supports the cause through captive breeding programmes, public education, and fundraising in the UK.

One particularly memorable moment was attending the release of nine rehabilitated African penguins back into the wild at Boulders Beach—an event that underscored the tangible impact of conservation work.

Birdworld has long prioritised conservation, with its Conservation Fund raising over £90,000 since its establishment in 2008. The park continues to focus on habitat preservation, community engagement, and inspiring future generations to protect wildlife.

James Robson, General Manager at Birdworld, praised Mandy’s efforts and emphasised the importance of international collaboration in conservation. He also confirmed plans to strengthen the partnership with SANCCOB through future staff exchanges and more targeted resource-sharing initiatives.

As global environmental challenges intensify, partnerships like this demonstrate how collaboration across continents can play a vital role in safeguarding endangered species.