From The Frontline-Episode 123-When Disaster Struck-African Penguin Rescue

When Disaster Struck! - African Penguin Rescue

20 Years ago, on 23 June, 2000, the Chinese bulk ore carrier MV Treasure sank off the coast of South Africa, in Table Bay, endangering the largest colonies of African penguins in the world with over 1,300 tonnes of bunker oil. How did this disaster occur? What was at stake? How did Capetonians respond to this, the greatest ecological disaster to ever hit our shores? Who are SANCCOB? Who responded to their calls for help? What were some of the challenges that needed to be overcome? What lessons can we learn from this historic ecological disaster and the monumental efforts by volunteers to rescue over 40,000 penguins, clean up the beaches and rehabilitate those who had been oiled?

“A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”

Proverbs 12:10