The Marine Dynamics and Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) teams were alerted on Wednesday, 1 July, by Jason Stafford of Ivanhoe Sea Safaris, who reported a deceased whale close to Gansbaai Harbour. The whale later washed up at Die Plaat, and our team immediately responded to assess the animal and begin documenting the stranding. Upon arrival, the team confirmed that the [...]
Earlier this year, two bronze whaler sharks (Carcharhinus brachyurus) were found washed ashore in Struisbaai, with clear signs of orca predation, lying only a few metres apart. As shark strandings are relatively uncommon and provide a valuable opportunity for research, the carcasses were recovered by Dickie Chivell, volunteer coordinator Ilizna du Plessis, and Marine Dynamics Academy volunteers before being placed into [...]
"What do we do with all the old penguin homes?" It sounds like a simple question, but finding the answer led to a wonderful community initiative. For almost 20 years, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust has been building artificial nests for the Critically Endangered African Penguin, not only for the colony that the Trust works with on Dyer Island, alongside conservation [...]
Last night at around 18:00, Xolani Lawu, Senior Bird Rehabilitator at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS), received a call from concerned Sandbaai resident and retired CapeNature Area Manager, Tierck Hoekstra. Tierck had spotted a dishevelled Southern Fulmar (Silwerstormvoël) a rare ocean wanderer from the icy southern seas. Xolani immediately jumped into action, meeting Tierck halfway as the rescue response [...]
With heavy storms and winds of up to 125 km/h sweeping through the Overstrand, our hearts go out to everyone who lost their homes and are now beginning the difficult task of rebuilding. We also think of those who stocked up on food and winter supplies in the freezer, only to lose everything after four days without electricity, with power restored [...]
On Thursday, 7 May, a collaborative necropsy of a ragged-tooth shark (Carcharias taurus) was performed by members of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust Team and the Two Oceans Aquarium. Stranded near Struisbaai, the individual was collected on 31 March by DICT’s Xolani Lawo and transported to the Marine Dynamics Academy lodge for storage. Ragged tooth sharks, commonly known as “raggies” in [...]
On Tuesday, 28 April, a stranded whale was reported near Die Dam by Mr Charl van Niekerk. The Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) team was alerted, with the response team consisting of Dr Loraine Shuttleworth (Head of Research) and Wilfred Chivell (CEO of Marine Dynamics). The Marine Dynamics vehicle used to attend stranding events. Upon arrival, it was immediately [...]
On 4 May 2026, the Marine Dynamics and Dyer Island Conservation Trust attended a stranding of a deceased Broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus). Research Coordinator, Dr Loraine Shuttleworth, Head Seabird Rehabilitator, Xolani Lawo and CEO, Wilfred Chivell formed the retrieval team at Pearly Beach. Broadnose sevengill sharks, commonly called cowsharks, are a species that hails from one of the oldest shark [...]
On 25 April, community members gathered at Gansbaai Caravan Park to celebrate Earth Day under the global theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” while also marking World Penguin Day—a day dedicated to renewing our commitment to protecting all 19 penguin species found across the Southern Hemisphere. The event highlighted the urgent need to take action against habitat degradation, climate change, and the [...]
On Sunday, 5 April, a Bryde’s whale was reported stranded at Suiderstrand. Nearby residents confirmed that the animal had not been present the previous day, suggesting it washed ashore either late in the evening of Saturday, 4 April, or in the early hours of Sunday morning. The response team included Dyer Island Conservation Trust's Head of Research Dr Loraine Shuttleworth and [...]
