Mystic Aquarium

After getting a good night's rest it was finally my first day to work at SANCCOB! Louise picked me up and we arrived shortly before the 8 a.m. meeting I started to introduce myself to the other volunteers and staff that worked there and ask how I could start to help.

One of the volunteers, Emily, gave me a tour around the area known as "general." "General" is the area where fish prep, cleaning and laundry takes place. By the time she was done showing me around it was time for the morning meeting. At morning meetings staff and volunteers are given their pen assignments so they'll know which chicks they'll be working with that day. I found out that I would be working with Virginia. It was ironic because it was Virginia's last day after spending ten months at SANCCOB and it was my first day. In addition to thanking Virginia for her hard work the last ten months they also welcomed me and thanked me for being able to come help out.

Immediately following the meeting Virginia showed me where to find the oilskins that we wear while we're working. From then on it seemed as though the day didn't stop. They keep a very busy schedule at SANCCOB and every step is essential to making sure the birds are given the best care possible. Pen three had about 60 African penguins in it and it takes a lot of work to care for all of those little guys. Virginia did an amazing job showing me the ropes and I thoroughly enjoyed working with her. She showed me how the schedule works which is important because there is a lot to do in one day. In pen three each of the 60 penguins had to be fed twice. In addition to this a majority of them also receive formula and some even need to receive medications, water, darrows (an electrolyte solution), and/or special treatments. As if all of that weren't enough it was also our responsibility to clean their pens and make sure they got to swim twice daily. It was a lot of work, but I enjoyed it and was thrilled to be learning new skills. Virginia even showed me how to handle and tube feed flighted birds such as kelp gulls which were being rehabilitated in another pen. When we were done with the penguins in our pen I also helped another staff member, Romy, give the penguin chicks in the ICU area their last formulas for the day.

When all of the work was done, which was around 7 p.m., Louise came back to pick me up and she brought me to her house to celebrate the New Year with a South African braai. A braai is the South Africa equivalent of a barbecue and it was the perfect way to celebrate New Year's Eve in South Africa. Happy New Year everybody!