Celebrating National Marine Week at uShaka Sea World

WITH National Marine Week being celebrated from 12 October to 18 October at uShaka Sea World, the public are being encouraged to take a keen interest in caring for our oceans.

As South Africans living on the southern tip of Africa surrounded by 2, 798 km of coastline, the oceans are certainly the most all-inclusive reason to celebrate. The ocean is one of the most important foundations for the South African economy as it supports shipping, fishing and tourism.

Not only does it provide for us economically, it provides for our health in numerous ways. National Marine Week is a chance to remind ourselves of the great privilege we have living in South Africa – we need the ocean to breathe and love the ocean to swim in.

However, with this privilege comes responsibility and it is a joint effort from all South Africans, to look after our oceans. uShaka Sea World works to help care for our oceans and the animals that live in it. They strive to rehabilitate injured animals for release back into the wild and recently added a new little addition to their list.

On August 20th, 2015, “Butternut”, a juvenile African Penguin was found at sea off Scottburgh Beach battling to remain afloat despite the calm sea conditions as she was weak, dehydrated and had a badly broken right wing. She was brought to uShaka Sea World and attended to on arrival by the rehabilitation staff on duty.

Despite her chances of survival looking bleak, she was weighed, rehydrated and left to rest overnight on padded towels. The following morning as she seemed a little more alert she was offered food, dewormed and began on a course of antibiotics.

Over the next month her condition improved slowly and steadily. She regained her balance, put on 1.4kgs and started taking an interest in her surroundings and by 19 September , 2015 she had recovered sufficiently and the uShaka Sea World veterinarian, Dr Francois Lampen, surgically removed the dead portion of her broken wing. The operation was successful and once again “Butternut” was given antibiotics and a chance to recover.

This little survivor recently started physiotherapy and is making great progress using her shortened wing in the water and is being introduced to the other penguins in the colony.

With summer fast approaching and arrangements are being made with family and friends to explore the rock pools, lie lazily on the warm sand, frolic in the waves, take the boat out or just sit for a while allowing nature’s beauty to restore peace within us – let’s remember to take our litter home with us to ensure our oceans stay healthy and help avoid more injured creatures due to human negligence.