Home • SAAMBR

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Welcome to

SAAMBR

The South African Association for Marine Biological Research

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uShaka Sea World

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Oceanographic Research Institute

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uSW Education

Encourages an interest in the oceans and encourages learners, educators and visitors to behave responsibly towards the environment.

Undertakes applied research that contributes towards the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources in the Western Indian Ocean and beyond.

Is the largest aquarium complex in Africa and inspires both young and old with the wonder and beauty of our magnificent marine life.

News Updates

Celebrating New Life: Kolisi, the Adorable Addition to Ushaka Sea World’s Penguin Colony

November 4, 2023 / No Comments

Celebrating New Life: Kolisi, the Adorable Addition to Ushaka Sea World’s Penguin Colony It was an incredible moment yesterday when SAAMBR animal care staff entered the penguin colony and heard

Nile monitor lays 27 eggs

July 12, 2023 / No Comments

SAAMBR Post Nile monitor lays 27 eggs On Wednesday 7 June 2023, a gravid (pregnant) adult Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) was admitted into the care of the SAAMBR herpetologists stationed

World Oceans Day Beach Clean-up

July 12, 2023 / No Comments

SAAMBR Post World Oceans Day Beach Clean-up SAAMBR staff were joined by learners from Ridge Park College, Pitlochry Primary, members of the Radisson Blu Committee, locals and visitors on the

ORI Hosts Training Workshop

July 12, 2023 / No Comments

SAAMBR Post ORI Hosts Training Workshop Last week, ORI hosted a training workshop on data analysis as part of capacity-building for the WIO-Benth project being led by ORI. Over the

Malusi Xulu

Junior Graphic Designer

Sam Hofmeyr

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Byron Wood

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Callum McNamara

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Schuur Mkhize

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Malusi Xulu

Junior Graphic Designer

Sam Hofmeyr



Byron Wood



Callum McNamara



Schuur Mkhize



Malusi Xulu

Junior Graphic Designer

Mthobisi Mlambo

Aquarist

Caryl Knox

Clinical Veterinarian

Cyril Mdlalose

Behaviourist

Travis Bunsee

Lead Technician

Karisha Ramsaroop

Human Resources Manager

Bulelani Ntuli

Guest Relations Guide

Musa Khumalo

Librarian

Londi Shezi

Informal Education Manager

Gareth Jordaan

Assistant Scientist

Quillan Kockott

Sound Operator

Jamie-Lee Swartz

Senior Aquarist

Malusi Xulu

Junior Graphic Designer

Mthobisi Mlambo

Aquarist

Caryl Knox

Clinical Veterinarian

Cyril Mdlalose

Behaviourist

Travis Bunsee

Lead Technician

Karisha Ramsaroop

Human Resources Manager

Bulelani Ntuli

Guest Relations Guide

Musa Khumalo

Librarian

Londi Shezi

Informal Education Manager

Gareth Jordaan

Assistant Scientist

Quillan Kockott

Sound Operator

Jamie-Lee Swartz

Senior Aquarist

Gallery

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Have a great weekend everyone #fish #nemo #fyp #w

Have a great weekend everyone
#fish #nemo #fyp #weekend #relaxing

Find the Fish Friday Here's the Find the Fish Frid

Find the Fish Friday
Here's the Find the Fish Friday for this week.
Hint: This fish is found in the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to Japan. In southern African waters it is found as far south as Port St Johns.
Do you know which species this is? Let us know in the comments below.

#socialmediagame #GuessTheAnimal #guessinggame #tryyourluck #species #weekendvibes #mystery #AnimalTrivia #DidYouKnow #play #GameOn #socialseries #fyp #instachallenge

Join us next Saturday for our first clean up for t

Join us next Saturday for our first clean up for the year.
We'll be on uShaka Beach between 08am – 10am concentrating our efforts on picking up nurdles, plastic, and anything else we find that does not belong on the beach.
If you would like to know more about the Beach Clean-up, please contact us on 031- 328 8191 or alternately via email: vnaidu@seaworld.org.za.
#saveouroceans #conservation #ocean #protectouroceans #durban #makeadiffrence #beachcleanup #communitylove

Find the Fish Friday This week, our Find the Fish

Find the Fish Friday
This week, our Find the Fish Friday is a little trickier than last week.

Hint: This endemic fish is found from Maputo Bay in southern Mozambique to St Helena Bay on the West Coast.

Do you know which species this is? Let us know in the comments below.

#socialmediagame #guesstheanimal #guessinggame #tryyourluck #species #weekendvibes #mystery #animaltrivia #didyouknow #play #gameon #socialseries #fyp

It was an exceptionally exciting day last week whe

It was an exceptionally exciting day last week when SAAMBR veterinarian, Dr Francois Lampen joined his colleagues Dr Justin Hart and Dr Ryan Daly in the Open Ocean Exhibit armed with an underwater ultrasound machine.

It was the very first time that we have been able to carry out an ultrasound on any of our fish, sharks and rays whilst they went about their day in their exhibit oblivious to the fact that a medical examination was taking place.

We knew that one of the Thorntail Rays was pregnant as we could see her “bump”, but we were unsure exactly how far along she was. As she generally spends a fair amount of time resting on the bottom of the exhibit (as rays do), we were confident that we would be able to hover over her long enough to capture video and images of her embryos.

Even though we were confident she was pregnant, at that moment when we actually saw three healthy embryos wriggling around on the ultrasound monitor, we could hardly contain our excitement.

She gave birth to 6 pups in her last litter, so we anticipate that with refining the technique we will likely see more pups on the ultrasound. The smallest litter size we have had before was 4 pups.

“By using this novel method of monitoring the gestation period over multiple pregnancies, we will be able to get a better understanding of their embryonic development. This method is non-invasive and doesn't require sedating the ray which means we can monitor them on a frequent basis, said Aquarium Curator Dr Hart.”

Going forward, we will hopefully be able to use this technique to monitor the organs of other animals in our care without having to either sedate or restrain them in any way.

We will keep you updated on her progress.

#first #gamechanger #fish #news #fypシ゚ #pregnant #triplets #medical #animalwelfare #underwater #love #SuccessStory #watchthisspace

Have you seen jellyfish close to the shoreline rec

Have you seen jellyfish close to the shoreline recently?

Certain areas along the KZN coastline have seen a dramatic increase in the number of jellyfish appearing quite close to the shoreline.

These jellyfish proliferations or blooms are not uncommon and generally occur in the warmer months of the year. The most common cause of jellyfish blooms in KZN are thought to be as a result of temperature variations and ocean and wind patterns.

The jellyfish we are currently seeing in large numbers are blue blubber jellyfish of the phylum Cnidaria. These beautiful bell-shaped jellyfish get their name from their distinct colouring (usually blue) which is produced by the jellyfish itself and is not a symbiotic algae.

Jellyfish “swim” by contracting and relaxing their muscles at the margin of their bells. By contracting these muscles, they tighten the bottom of the bell which forces water out and propels them forward.

Since their mouths are so small (yes, jellyfish have mouths 😊) at uShaka Sea World we feed our jellyfish a combination of 2-day-old artemia and rotifers (crustaceans).

As people all react differently to jellyfish stings, our aquarists always protect themselves by wearing gloves when working with our jellyfish.

#jellyfish #fish #fypシ゚ #animal #interestingfacts #didyouknow #ocean #whatsondurban #news

Find the Fish Friday This week, our Find the Fish

Find the Fish Friday
This week, our Find the Fish Friday revolves around a fish.

Hint: They primarily feed on rock mussels but also sand mussels, sand dollars, crabs and mole crabs. These invertebrates are crushed in the strong pharyngeal plates in the gullet (throat) as the teeth are very small and feeble.

Do you know which species this is? Let us know in the comments below.

#animal #findthefactfriday #interestingfacts #didyouknow #FactsChallenge #incredible #community #socialseries #play #GameOn #fypシ゚ #fish

Happy 40th birthday Kelpie ❤️ #oceanambassado

Happy 40th birthday Kelpie ❤️

#oceanambassador #40thbirthday #happybirthday #love #animals #fyp #angel

#celebrate #worldpenguinday #2024

#celebrate #worldpenguinday #2024

Find the Fact Friday Have you heard people ask t

Find the Fact Friday

Have you heard people ask the question, “Why do polar bears not eat penguins?”
The typical answer is “because penguins live in the southern hemisphere and polar bears live in the northern hemisphere.”

There is however, one species of Penguin that is found in the northern hemisphere.

Do you know which species this is? Let us know in the comments below.
P.S Try this one without Google

#penguin #didyouknow #factschallenge❤️ #interestingfacts #worldpengiunday #fypシ゚ #findthefactfriday

Rest in peace Murdoch Dangerous Creatures Reptil

Rest in peace Murdoch

Dangerous Creatures Reptile House, situated in the uShaka Village Walk has been home to Murdoch a large black-throated monitor since 2011.

At approximately 22 years old, it was not surprising when Murdoch started showing signs of age-related issues by slowing down his movements. He remained indoors most of the day and seldom showed interest in venturing outside into the sun. These changes in his behaviour were very similar to those displayed by his brother Raymond when Raymond was nearing his end-of-life stages two years ago.

The SAAMBR Veterinary and Herpetology teams decided that it was time to perform exploratory surgery to get a better understanding of his condition. During the exploration it was discovered that his liver was compromised to the extent that it could not repair itself. A decision was made to let Murdoch rest in peace.

Senior Herpetologist Lesley Labuschagne, who was his principal caregiver, echoed the sentiments of her colleagues, tenants and visitors when she described Murdoch as a gentle soul who calmly and gently helped people connect with reptiles in a most incredible way. Murdoch’s two favourite things were eggs and the sun.

"His love of eggs was such that it was even noticed by a local Tafta resident who has visited him every single day for the past 4 years and once a month arrived with half a dozen eggs for him" said Lesley.

Over the past 13 years, half a million visitors to uShaka Marine World have stood in awe of Murdoch's gentle spirit as he went about his day in his home outside Dangerous Creatures.

UShaka Marine World
#monitorlizard #reptiles

Grinch flies to Port Elizabeth On the 21 Decembe

Grinch flies to Port Elizabeth

On the 21 December last year we posted a story about Grinch the juvenile African penguin which was admitted into our care after being found stranded on the beach at Zinkwazi on the KZN North Coast.
We are delighted to report that he has completed his moult and has fully recovered from his ordeal at sea. After he passed his medical examination yesterday we made arrangements for him to fly to 1st class (Cargo) to Port Elizabeth. During his two and a half weeks with us he lived up to his name and did not drop his guard for a moment.
“Although he started taking fish from me on the evening of his 2nd day, he never fully trusted me and continued to defend himself even whilst taking the 13 fish I offered him each day. He is without doubt the feistiest stranded penguin with the biggest attitude we have ever cared for” said Penguin Specialist, Kelly de Klerk.
Grinch will join a group of young African Penguins at SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) before being released.
Go well Grinch we will miss you.

It’s incredible to see his before and after images which paint a picture of his journey.

SANCCOB saves seabirds KZN Marine Stranding Network
#grinch #SuccessStory #animalrescue #fypシ゚ #love #rehab #incredible #grateful #community #africanpenguin

Happy Christmas everyone. Have a wonderful festiv

Happy Christmas everyone.
Have a wonderful festive season and cherish the time with loved ones.
We're about to decommission the camera system, but before we do - here are some of the best shots of the aquarium Elf-scapades.

#elf #fypシ゚ #PlayfulPranks #SAAMBRMagic #elfspotted #HolidayHumor #elf #InstaAquarium #ElfMagic #ElfAdventures #seasonsgreetings #merryxmas #merrychristmas2023

It's the day before Christmas and it looks like th

It's the day before Christmas and it looks like the tricksters are not getting along. You can see Elf asking for help after getting stuck in the sand, and his naughty friend doesn't look like he wants to help at all!

#ElfOnTheGram
#ElfMagic
#InstaAquarium
#uShakaAdventures
#ChristmasCheer
#ElfingAround
#UnderwaterWonder
#OceanHoliday
#InstaFunSA
#ElfInAction
#HolidayHijinks
#MarineMischief
#InstaChristmasSA
#ElfOnTheShelfFun
#ushakamoments
#fyp #ınstagood

Are you ready for this weeks’ “Guess the anima

Are you ready for this weeks’ “Guess the animal from an X-Ray?”
If you think that you know which animal this is - let us know in the comments below.

#socialseries #fypシ゚ #play #tryyourluck #medical #guessinggame #weekendvibes #xrays #community #NatureDiscovery #AnimalTrivia #species #GuessTheAnimal #socialmediagame #mystery #lekker #GameOn #XRayChallenge #week10

With just 2 days left until Christmas, it looks li

With just 2 days left until Christmas, it looks like Elf has recruited another trickster to help him make his way around the facility. This time, they are in the turtle hospital!

#ElfOnTheGram
#ElfMagic
#InstaAquarium
#uShakaAdventures
#ChristmasCheer
#ElfingAround
#UnderwaterWonder
#OceanHoliday
#InstaFunSA
#ElfInAction
#HolidayHijinks
#MarineMischief
#InstaChristmasSA
#ElfOnTheShelfFun
#ushakamoments
#ınstagood #fyp

With just 3 days left until Christmas, it looks li

With just 3 days left until Christmas, it looks like Elf has found his way to the Penguin Colony and was trying to hide all of the penguin eggs.

#ElfOnTheGram
#ElfMagic
#InstaAquarium
#uShakaAdventures
#ChristmasCheer
#ElfingAround
#UnderwaterWonder
#OceanHoliday
#InstaFunSA
#ElfInAction
#HolidayHijinks
#MarineMischief
#InstaChristmasSA
#ElfOnTheShelfFun
#ushakamoments #naughtyelf
#ınstagood

Day 2 of the security cameras Elf has found the cu

Day 2 of the security cameras
Elf has found the cultures lab and started opening all of the valves. Here you can see him with the phytoplankton.

#elf #naughtyelf #ElfOnTheGram
#ElfMagic
#InstaAquarium
#uShakaAdventures
#ChristmasCheer
#ElfingAround
#UnderwaterWonder
#OceanHoliday
#InstaFunSA
#ElfInAction
#HolidayHijinks
#MarineMischief
#InstaChristmasSA
#ElfOnTheShelfFun
#uShakaMoments

Every morning the aquarium team have noticed that

Every morning the aquarium team have noticed that all of their equipment is out of place. They decided to put up security cameras to catch the naughty prankster.
Look at what they found...

#elf #ElfOnTheGram
#ElfMagic
#InstaAquarium
#uShakaAdventures
#ChristmasCheer
#ElfingAround
#UnderwaterWonder
#OceanHoliday
#InstaFunSA
#ElfInAction
#HolidayHijinks
#MarineMischief
#InstaChristmasSA
#ElfOnTheShelfFun
#uShakaMoments

Happy Springbok day everyone. This week our "Guess

Happy Springbok day everyone.
This week our "Guess the animal from an X-Ray" may have you doubtful, simply because of the large variety of animals that we deal with.
Do you know what animal this is?
Let us know in the comments below.

#week9 #xrays #NatureDiscovery #ZooEducation #guessinggame #WildlifeAdventure #socialmediagame #mystery #weekendvibes #species #medical #XRayChallenge #GameOn #lekker #GuessTheAnimal #community #AnimalTrivia #tryyourluck #play #bokke

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