Kolisi the African Penguin, the symbol of hope
The newest adorable addition to uShaka Sea World’s Penguin Colony is under the care of uMhlanga resident Kelly de Klerk.
EVERY South African remembers where they were when Siya Kolisi and the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for a record fourth time at the Stade de France in Paris last year.
It is a cherished memory filled with pride, resilience and hope.
Siya is also the reason why the newest adorable addition to uShaka Sea World’s Penguin Colony has taken on such new significance.
The baby penguin, lovingly named Kolisi, also acts as a symbol of hope, resilience and the tradition of #StrongerTogether.
The youngster, who weighs a little over 2kg, is under the care of lead animal behaviourist and principal caregiver of penguins at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research’s (SAAMBR) uShaka Sea World and uMhlanga resident Kelly de Klerk.
De Klerk, who has more than 24 years of experience, spoke with Northglen News on the significance of Kolisi’s arrival.
“We were so happy, and it was such proud moment when we won the World Cup. Siya Kolisi was a wonderful example of humility and someone who can unite others around him. It was in honour of him that we chose a name like Kolisi because it is strong and shows nothing is impossible. He is now a little over 2kg and more than a month old and is settling in quite nicely. He has a healthy appetite and eats three times a day, and his fur is so fluffy and soft.
“Kolisi also has a little bent left flipper which is peculiar as his mother, Button, is a rescue that lost her right flipper when she was stranded on Amanzimtoti Beach. His parents, Larnie and Button, are first-time parents, and I think they are proud of their newest arrival. We are happy to report that Kolisi has thrived under our care, and he has been slowly introduced to the rest of the colony, and some of the guests have also gotten a chance to meet him which has been quite thrilling,” she said.
De Klerk also touched on the importance of World Penguin Awareness Day which was celebrated last week.
“These charismatic birds are incredible animals, and of the 18 species of penguins around the world, they are the only ones endemic to the Southern African coastline. At SAAMBR uShaka Sea World, we have a colony of 56 birds. I have the privilege of looking after them, and many of them are rescued penguins and in need of help. In 2010, the African Penguin was moved from a vulnerable to an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list of threatened species.
“Our goal here is to raise awareness of their plight and also celebrate them and educate the younger generation on their importance to the ecosystem. People often ask why they are so important, and the answer is: They are an indicator species. If something happens to them and they go extinct in the wild, that has a knock-on effect. Their status informs scientists about the status of the ecosystem and the impacts overfishing, pollution and climate change have on them. For our climate and our oceans, it is so important that we keep their numbers going up and do everything we can to protect them so they can continue being a part of the ecosystem,” she said.
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