According to Hanlie Roux, veterinary nurse at Robberg, African penguins – who have unfortunately recently been classified as critically endangered – make some of the practice’s most vigorous and compelling patients.

Dublin
One such recent success story is Dublin, an adult penguin whose tail had been badly damaged by a predator. With several holes and fistulas around his tuft, Dublin continued to leak preen (waterproofing) oil even after making an initial recovery, thereby rendering him unable to swim. To better understand his anatomy and diagnose the issue, Hanlie dissected a deceased penguin, after which she repeatedly flushed Dublin’s oil glands under general anaesthetic — a risky and time-consuming process due to birds’ sensitivity to anaesthesia. The final surgery was a rousing success: Dublin’s oil returned almost immediately, and he was successfully released shortly thereafter.

Barney
Barney, another rescued penguin, arrived incredibly weak and with his feet encrusted in barnacles — a very rare sight among penguins, usually caused by ingesting plastic that inhibits diving. With weeks of around-the-clock care, careful feeding, antifungal treatments, and nebulisation, he eventually regained his strength.

Baby Shark
Perhaps the most dramatic recent case was that of Baby Shark, a juvenile who had been savagely attacked by a shark. Soon after being hospitalised, he began moulting, thus temporarily preventing surgery. In the meantime, he was leaking joint fluid from severe leg injuries, along with deep wounds to his back and abdomen. Against the odds, Baby Shark began a slow recovery that entailed multiple surgeries, partial toe amputations, and nerve-regeneration treatments. At the time of writing he is recovering well, and if all goes according to plan, will be released in the near future.

Robberg Vet treats a wide range of other wild birds as well. Seagulls and Cape cormorants are often found with fishhooks lodged in their throats or stomachs, and are sometimes treated using an ingenious technique: ingesting cotton wool wrapped in fish fillets, which eventually allows the bird to safely regurgitate a well-padded hook.

Recently, an African wood owl struck by a car required leg surgery — a particularly difficult procedure as birds’ hollow bones make pinning them nearly impossible. In another memorable case, a Black-winged kite with an open wing fracture was saved thanks to a group of local children who brought him to Tenikwa; the bird was then transferred to Robberg, where it made a full recovery after intensive care and the use of honey-based wound dressings.

The practice also regularly treats pigeons, mousebirds, and the occasional nightjar. Many of these birds later continue their recovery at Tenikwa or Raptor Rescue, where they have access to large aviaries and flight tunnels.

If you come across an injured bird, do not offer it food or water, as frightened birds are prone to choking or aspirating. Instead, gently place the bird in a ventilated box lined with shredded paper or fabric, and keep it warm and dark. In emergencies, Robberg Vet may also be contacted after hours.

Donations from the public and funding from BirdLife Plett make this highly specialised and time-consuming work possible — providing many a second chance for our feathered friends.