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Get hands-on experience working with endangered African Penguins and other seabirds at the world renowned SANCCOB seabird centres in Cape Town or Gqeberha in South Africa.  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
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Volunteers & Interns play an important role

at SANCCOB’s centers in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, and are needed 365 days a year!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to help care for real African penguins and seabirds?

At SANCCOB, volunteers and interns work alongside the team in Cape Town and Gqeberha to support the rescue, rehabilitation, feeding, and daily care of seabirds that need help.

These opportunities are designed for adults 18 and older, and they give people a chance to learn, build skills, and be part of the amazing work of protecting seabirds.

In this lesson, you’ll explore how volunteers and interns help make a difference and see how a love for animals can grow into meaningful conservation action.

 

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Get hands-on experience

working with endangered African Penguins and other seabirds at the world-renowned SANCCOB seabird centers in Cape Town or Gqeberha in South Africa.

  • You must be 18 years and over
  • No experience necessary
  • Minimum 6 weeks in Cape Town or Gqeberha
  • Placements all year round, with the busiest time in Cape Town from October to March.

As an international volunteer, you will become an extension of our team of Bird rehabilitators, helping with most handling and feeding tasks.

Unfortunately, SANCCOB does not provide accommodation, but we can recommend accommodation used by many international volunteers in the past.

Your programme fee for a six-week period will include a volunteer T-shirt and a seabird release trip (weather and bird permitting). Further information about the Cape Town and Gqeberha international volunteer programmes are available in the respective documents below.

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Play an important role

in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape SANCCOB Centres. Volunteers are needed 365 days a year to perform tasks such as:

  • Assisting with seabird rehabilitation, cleaning and feeding birds
  • Driving/collecting seabirds
  • General centre maintenance and cleaning
  • Answering phones
  • Education/behind-the-scenes tours
  • Marketing/fundraising

Volunteers must be 18 years or older and reside permanently in the Cape Peninsula (Western Cape) or in the local Eastern Cape surroundings. Half-day and full-day shifts are available weekdays and over weekends. Our volunteers assist with important daily operational tasks to support SANCCOB’s rehabilitation team.

Further information about the Cape Town and Gqeberha local volunteer programmes are available in the respective documents below.

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Internship Training Opportunities

SANCCOB's seabird internships are structured, mentored training programmes with a strong focus on skills development – suitable for returning volunteers, university students, graduates, post graduates, employees and volunteers in the fields of animal science, husbandry, care and welfare related fields. Previous experience working with birds is desirable though not essential.

Volunteers who have completed our international volunteer programme are eligible for a 50% discount on all our internship programmes.

Upon acceptance into the programme, all interns are required to pay a refundable R2,000 fee to secure their place. This is refunded in South African Rands after successful completion of the programme.

 

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Ready to dive even deeper into the world of seabird rescue? 
Visit SANCCOB's website to explore real-life stories, meet their incredible animal care team,  and discover how YOU can keep making a difference for African Penguins and their seabird friends. Your next adventure starts there!

Visit SANCCOB's Website