Fabulous Five find freedom

15 June 2026 we got the call we had been waiting for! We got the go ahead that 20 June 2026 would be perfect for our penguin release…. 5 days notice from Ocean Sailing Charters who always keep an eye on the weather for us for the best date, let us know it was going to be a good day for the release with great weather for another 10 days after that.

 

So it was all hands on deck!! Natures Valley Trust, BirdLife Plett, Plett Stranding Network, SANParks, Cape Nature and Tenikwa knew we had to let the Plettenberg Bay community know that there was a penguin release on just a few days away. Penguin posts with names and faces of the Fabulous Five were shared all over social media and the excitement started to build.

NVT arriving early at the beach to put the crowd ropes up, Birdlife Plett setting up their speaker system and fundraising members getting in place, Robberg Vets & SANParks putting the Penguin enclosure up ready, only then waiting for the VIP’s (very important PENGUINS) to arrive.

As we pulled up to the beach we were blown away by the support of our wonderful town. Even though the weather was chilly it didn’t stop everyone coming to see  Penny, Lucky, Thai, Easter and Minke off.

And the penguins didn’t disappoint either…. As soon as the little pen gate was opened, their natural instinct kicked in and off they went straight into the ocean. There were tears of joys, rounds of applause and great excitement for yet another successful release.

And with African penguins now being critically endangered, we all have to do whatever we can to make sure that African Penguin releases are something that your great great grandchildren get to attend