Cape Town, South Africa – October 13-17, 2025
The members of the GOWRS Network will be returning to South Africa later this year to participate in the Effects of Oil on Wildlife Conference (EOW) in October 2025 to help our member, SANCCOB, Shine a Spotlight on the Plight of the Critically Endangered African Penguin
The highly anticipated 15th edition of The Effects of Oil on Wildlife Conference (EOW) is set to make a grand return this October, marking a historic moment as it ventures to the African Continent for the first time in its history. Cape Town, South Africa, will proudly host this prestigious event, shining a spotlight on the plight of the Critically Endangered African Penguin and commemorating the extraordinary oiled wildlife response following the MV Treasure disaster 25 years ago.
A Global Gathering of Experts
EOW 2025 promises to be a landmark event, bringing together a diverse array of international wildlife and industry experts, government agencies, and key stakeholders. This year’s conference is co-hosted by the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) and Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, Inc. (TSBRR) from Delaware, USA. Together with their global partners, SANCCOB and TSBRR are dedicated to advancing best practices and fostering collaboration to enhance preparedness and response to oil spills and other environmental pollutants.
Why Cape Town?
Hosting EOW 2025 in Cape Town underscores the critical conservation efforts needed for the recently reclassified Critically Endangered African Penguin and highlights the region’s rich history of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation:
- Without substantial conservation efforts, African Penguins may go extinct in the wild as soon as the year 2035. This year’s EOW will bring attention to the need to protect the African Penguin’s food source and habitat from the pressures of commercial fishing and the threat of oil spills.
- EOW 2025 will also acknowledge the remarkable oiled wildlife response that followed the sinking of the MV Treasure off the coast of South Africa 25 years ago. The oil spill that ensued from the sinking of the MV Treasure contaminated over 20,000 African Penguins, with an astonishing 90.3% of the oiled penguins surviving to release. An additional 19,500 non-oiled penguins were pre-emptively captured to prevent exposure to the oil spill, making this response the largest to date in terms of number of animals captured. EOW 2025 will feature presentations, displays, and social gatherings to commemorate this historic response.
This Southern Hemisphere location also opens doors for new international partnerships and participation, broadening the conference’s impact and reach.
History of the EOW
EOW was co-founded by Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, Inc. and International Bird Rescue in 1982 to bring together those that found themselves responding to the impacts of oil spills on wildlife. The conference has provided a platform for collaboration between international wildlife and industry experts of all specializations, government agencies, and other key partners on topics of wildlife protection, field recovery/capture, and rehabilitation.
This is the first time since 2009 that the conference will be held outside of North America, with Cape Town, South Africa serving as the host city. This decision to host this event in South Africa was driven by the need to highlight the plight of the recently reclassified Critically Endangered African Penguin. Without substantial conservation efforts put forth, this species may go extinct in the wild as soon as the year 2035.
What to Expect
Attendees can look forward to a dynamic program featuring:
- Engaging Workshops: Hands-on sessions led by top experts in wildlife protection, treatment, and rehabilitation.
- Insightful Presentations: Cutting-edge research and case studies on the impacts of oil spills and innovative response strategies.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, industry leaders, and policymakers to share knowledge and forge new collaborations.
- Social Events: Enjoy the vibrant culture and stunning landscapes of Cape Town while building lasting professional relationships.
Be part of the Program
The EOW Program Committee is looking for oral presentations, poster displays, and panel discussions on topics such as international response networking, case studies, and innovations in veterinary and rehabilitation methods, among others. Proposals are due to eowprogram2025@gmail.com by 1 April 2025. More information can be found here.
Stay Tuned for More
The conference will be held at The President Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa.
Please visit our website to find more information about early bird ticket sales, sponsorship packages, and additional event details: https://eow-conference.org/.
Join us in Cape Town for EOW 2025 and be part of a global community dedicated to mitigating the effects of oil on wildlife.
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