German star backs Richards Bay dolphin project
Janina agrees to be an ambassador for the Bay initiative
THE magnificent sight of Richards Bay’s endangered Humpback dolphins frolicking in the sea at sunset has led to a famous German actress becoming an official ambassador for these wonderful creatures.
Film and TV star Janina Fautz (21) and her mother Petra had a few hours to spare during a passenger liner trip on the MS Amadea in January and were taken by their tour guide to the dolphin viewing platform at Alkantstrand.
As luck would have it, a lively pod of dolphins appeared and hung around for a while, to the delight of the European guests, who whooped with joy and jumped up and down every time they spotted one.
Referring to this as the highlight of their cruise, they were later sent a number of Humpback dolphin action photos.
The ZO story of their visit was also forwarded to Shanan Atkins, project leader of a new study on the interaction between Humpback dolphins and the shark nets at Newark and Alkantstrand beaches, where live footage is being screened worldwide via a high resolution video camera.
ALSO READ: New Humpback Dolphin study launch in Richards Bay
Partners in this scientific venture include the KZN Sharks Board, German Society for Dolphin Conservation, the German Foundation for Marine Conservation, the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the City of uMhlathuze.
Shanan’s interactions with the German Society for Dolphin Conservation started just after last year’s scientific publication – Net Loss of Humpback Dolphins: Residency Site Fidelity and By-catch at Richards Bay – reported on in the ZO last October.
‘By-catch is a major problem for dolphin species around the world and Humpback dolphins are endangered throughout their range, so the Society was interested in our results,’ Shanan told the ZO.
‘I corresponded with them about the problem of the shark nets and possible solutions. They were very keen to be involved in the project we’ve just started and are currently our primary sponsors.
‘When you sent me the mail about Janina Fautz, I forwarded it to them and they contacted her.
‘She has agreed to be an ambassador for our project and wrote a brief testimonial which they’ve added to their website https://www.delphinschutz.org/projekte/schutz-von-bleifarbenen-delfinen-in-suedafrika
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