PROMISES FOR PENGUINSMay 16, 2011 by dyertrustThe Dyer Island Conservation Trust is happy to support the initiative of Hayley McLellan, senior bird trainer at the Two Oceans Aquarium and Gabby Harris of Sea World. The Waddle for a Week kicks off on the 23rd May covering a distance of 122kms from Gansbaai to Simonstown ending at the penguin colony at Boulders [...]
EXCITING NEW VOLUNTEER SCHEME LAUNCHEDMay 15, 2011 by dyertrustA once in a lifetime experience working with whales at the tip of AfricaEvery year from July-December the seas off Dyer Island become home to large numbers of Southern Right whales who have journeyed here from their feeding grounds in Antarctica to breed and calve. Now, a newly introduced scheme offers a limited [...]
ORCA WHALES NEAR DANGER POINTMay 14, 2011 by dyertrustAt 11:00AM 9 April 2011, the Whale Whisperer of Dyer Island Cruises (www.whalewatchsa.com) witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime sighting found by professional wildlife spotter and Dyer Island Cruises guide, Kira Matiwane. Two Orcas, one male (with the larger dorsal fin) and a sub-adult were milling about the kelp near Danger Point.Dyer Island Conservation Trust marine [...]
RARE CAPE CORMORANT FOUNDMay 13, 2011 by dyertrustWilfred Chivell, founder of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust received a call from Matie Nowens who had found an injuredCape Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capensis)in Gansbaai harbour.This was a very special findthe bird was a true albino with white feathers, pink feet and beak and distinctive red eyes.This is a very rare find indeed.As the bird [...]
MS OLIVA RUNS AGROUND ON NIGHTINGALE ISLANDMay 12, 2011 by dyertrustMS Oliva ran aground on Nightingale Island on 16th March 2011 and is leaking oilAs perTristan da Cunha Conservation DepartmentDirector, Trevor Glass - Nightingale has the second largest sea bird population in the world, including the largest concentration of Great Shearwaters in the world - three million pairs in the island [...]
Welcome to our Volunteer/Intern blogMarch 07, 2011 by dyertrustWe have had and excellent group of volunteers and interns for the month of January stretching from all around the world. We can actually say it was the United Nations in Kleinbaai for this month. There was Noelle -USA, Blair and BenAustralia, UrielNetherlands, MaireadIreland, DavidUK, NicoleUSA and IngoGermany.The sharks for this month was [...]
RESCUE ATTEMPT OF CAPE FUR SEALFebruary 28, 2011 by dyertrustWilfred Chivell of the Trust attended to a sick Cape Fur Seal. A call was received from Nico Opperman to let us know of the seals plight. On the recommendation of Mike Meyer of Oceans & Coasts, the seal was attended by a local veterinarian Dr Liesel Trollope. Special medication was delivered [...]
SHARK & RAY RESEARCH MEETINGFebruary 27, 2011 by dyertrustAlison Towner and I attended the Southern African Shark and Ray Meeting hosted by the KZN Sharks Board in mid February. The first meeting of its kind, it offered the opportunity for scientists from across the country and Mozambique the chance to present their research and share ideas.The conference also provided networking opportunities [...]
ELEPHANT SEAL SIGHTINGFebruary 26, 2011 by dyertrustThis February we have had yet another rare visitor herea juvenile femaleelephant seal. The condition of the animal was good with a slight injury visible around its neck, possible caused by fishing line. Pictures were taken forphotogrammetry.Marine biologist,Katja Vinding Petersen(2 Febuary)I went back at 20.15 and it was still there. At first it looked dead [...]
RARE CRABEATER SEAL FOUNDFebruary 25, 2011 by dyertrustThe Trust received a call from Jason Stonehewer about the sighting of an unusual seal on Pearly Beach. It turned out to be a rare visitor to these shores, aCrabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophagus). These seals are very common in Antarctica. They have specialized teeth to filtrate the water and contrary to their name, feed [...]