SOUTH AFRICA: SPILT OIL FROM A FRACTURED FUEL PIPELINE IN CAPE TOWN HARBOUR THREATENS MARINE AND BIRDLIFE

Record ID: 344764

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: SPILT OIL FROM A FRACTURED FUEL PIPELINE IN CAPE TOWN HARBOUR THREATENS MARINE AND BIRDLIFE
  • Date: 29th May 1998
  • Summary: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA (MAY 28, 1998) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) 1. LV/CU MEN RAKING OIL FROM BEACH WITH TABLE MOUNTAIN IN THE BACKGROUND (2 SHOTS) 0.13 2. SLV BLACK PLASTIC BAGS FULL OF OIL FROM BEACH 0.17 3. SLV MEN CLEANING BEACH (2 SHOTS) 0.26 ROBBEN ISLAND, OFF CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA (MAY 28, 1998) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) 4. SLV/CU PENGUI
  • Embargoed: 13th June 1998 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: CAPE TOWN AND ROBBEN ISLAND, SOUTH AFRICA
  • City:
  • Country: South Africa
  • Reuters ID: LVA869WQZN21WLXYT135AA685C95
  • Story Text: Spilt oil from a fractured fuel pipeline in Cape Town harbour has been threatening marine and birdlife, including penguins, in the fragile ecosystem surrounding Robben Island off South Africa's Cape peninsula.

    Earlier this week about 200 tons of oil leaked into the harbour and efforts to clean up and contain the spillage appeared to be working.

    But by Thursday May 28) it was clear the damage was more serious than initially thought when between one and two tons of oil washed up on the snowy white beaches around the harbour.

    Oil slicks also washed up on Robben Island which is home to the rare Jackass Penguin.Hundreds of the birds were affected by the oil which coated their feathers and caused severe irritation to their eyes.

    A special rescue operation to save approximately 500 adult birds, was set in motion by the South African Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB).

    The worst affected birds were caught, put into boxes and flown by helicopter to the rehabilitation centre in Rietvlei on the mainland where they were cleaned.

    Cathy Williams, Public Relations Officer for SANCOB, said that after the birds were brought to the centre, they were first stabilised and checked thoroughly before the lengthy process of washing and rinsing every bird by hand could start.

    Even though the birds are only removed from the island for a short while, many of them had chicks which would be vulnerable in the interim.

    At least 300 nests were thought to be affected and the chicks were in danger of not being fed.


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