Some 90 African penguins, nine penguin chicks, three penguin eggs, 12 Cape gannets and five Cape cormorants were rescued from the Port Elizabeth coast in July after fuel tank valves from the MV Chrysanthi S were not properly closed, which lead to an overspill.
At the time the vessel had been supplied with as much as 1 300 metric tons of fuel, and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) said the vessel’s owner had been found liable.
The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (Sanccob) had rehabilitated the seabirds, and the Department of Environmental Affairs, Transnet National Ports Authority, SA Marine Fuels, oil spillage management services, and SANParks, ensured that the oil had not reached the coastline and that the damage was contained.
Sanccob spokesperson Ronnis Daniels yesterday said two big releases have since taken place, with 48 African penguins released at Bird Island in early August, and a further 28 penguins and eight Cape gannets released on August 17.