On 17 August, our marine wildlife rehabilitator, Xolani Lawu, received an urgent call from Arniston about a special visitor—a Subantarctic fur seal—found weak along the coast. Knowing that this young seal had traveled an extraordinary distance and needed immediate care, Xolani drove the 100 kilometers to Arniston. By 20:00 that evening, they arrived safely back at the African Penguin and Seabird [...]
On Heritage Day, the Marine Dynamics and Dyer Island Conservation Trust teams had the honor of releasing two adult African Penguins and seven penguin chicks back onto Dyer Island. The Trust works closely with our conservation partners at CapeNature, who manage the Dyer Island Nature Reserve. Colleagues joined us for a special trip to the island to share in this memorable [...]
The Marine Dynamics Team had the honour of meeting Dion George, Minister of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries, today. It was a great opportunity to gather around the table and share the important conservation work we do at the Dyer Island Conservation Trust. We showcased our non-consumptive marine eco-tourism operations, such as boat-based whale watching and diving with bronze whaler sharks. Additionally, [...]
On Sunday, 21 July, marine biologist Amy Webber, volunteer manager Etienne Roets, skipper Hennie Odendaal and 2 of the Marine Dynamics Academy scientific interns left Kleinbaai Harbour aboard research vessel Lwazi. In collaboration with the Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP), the team from the Dyer Island Conservation Trust and Marine Dynamics Academy went out with the goal of retrieving previous receivers [...]
Don’t feel BLUE about Plastic Free July There are many things that Kleinbaai, in Gansbaai, can be proud of – being the preferred place for whales to mate and calve yearly, having our very own colony of endangered African Penguins on Dyer Island, being one of the top places in the world for diving with sharks, watching the Marine Big 5 [...]
On 22 June, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust and Marine Dynamics teams were alerted of a stranded Humpback whale along the beach at Die Dam. A resident of Die Dam, Johanna von Molendorff, sighted the whale, with alerts posted to local stranding pages too. Early the next morning, 23 June, our teams started the journey towards the area. The attendees were [...]
Kruger and Shannon du Plessis from the KruShan Foundation are two friends of the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary. They have assisted with numerous previous donations towards the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary, including buying two gas fridges to keep the penguin meals frozen during heavy load-shedding in 2023. Now, they have warmed our hearts again! This time, they secured funds [...]
Mayoral Committee Member, Alderman James Vos, and his family visited the team at Marine Dynamics, the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary and the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, during the winter school holidays. After a visit at APSS, Adl Vos said: "Had a heartwarming day with my family at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary in Gansbaai! Thanks to the Dyer Island [...]
In the vast expanse of our planet, one element stands out for its sheer majesty and mystery: the ocean. Covering over 70% of Earth's surface, oceans are not just bodies of water; they are the lifeblood of our planet, influencing climate, sustaining biodiversity, and providing resources essential for human survival. Yet, despite their immense significance, oceans often remain out of sight [...]
Children's Day is not just a day of fun and games; it's also an opportunity to educate and inspire the next generation about important issues, such as marine ecology. As we celebrate this special day dedicated to the well-being and happiness of children, let's delve into the fascinating world of marine ecology and discover how we can instill a love for [...]
