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

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

Babay penguin "Kolisi" sitting on a towel

It was an incredible moment yesterday when SAAMBR animal care staff entered the penguin colony and heard the chirping of a brand new baby penguin.

The baby has lovingly been named Kolisi. Born on the 3rd of November, 2023.

Kolisi’s parents, Larnie and Button, have their own unique stories that add to the beauty of this new story. Larnie, affectionately known as the “toy boy,” had his fair share of relationships before becoming a father for the first time yesterday. Larnie was born at uShaka Sea World on the 1st of September in 2010

Button, on the other hand, has a tale of resilience. Rescued after washing up on the coast on the 1st of May, 2015, she arrived at Ushaka Sea World with a badly damaged left wing which needed amputation. At 8 years old, Button has now become a first-time mom, proving that love and care can triumph over challenges. Described as sweet as a button, her maternal instincts shone through as her newborn cuddled up to her.

 

Baby Penguin "Kolisi"“I was absolutely delighted when I found a precious little ball of fluff weighing only 71 grams cuddled up underneath mom while dad stood proudly and protectively on guard” said Kelly de Klerk, Lead Animal Care Specialist. She went on to express her overwhelming happiness. Tears welled in her eyes as she named the newborn penguin Kolisi, inspired by Siya Kolisi, the captain of the Springboks rugby team. Siya Kolisi recently led his team to victory in the Rugby World Cup, embodying unity and strength. De Klerk believed it fitting to name the baby penguin after such an inspiring and selfless figure, emphasising the power of togetherness.

As the newest member of the Ushaka Sea World colony, Kolisi is a symbol of hope, resilience, and the joy that new life brings. The story of his parents, Larnie and Button, adds layers of uniqueness to this heartening tale of a penguin family growing stronger together.

To learn more about the African Penguins at uShaka Sea World, visit the ‘Penguin’ page on our website

Nile monitor lays 27 eggs

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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 at Dangerous Creatures in the uShaka Village.

The Nile monitor was found in Umlazi attempting to lay her eggs in a domestic garden. The homeowners noticed that the monitor kept returning to the same spot over a period of two weeks trying to lay her eggs but unfortunately, each attempt at laying was unsuccessful. As they were concerned for her wellbeing, they contacted local experts who brought her to SAAMBR for treatment.
 
The monitor was visibly gravid with the eggs could be observed bulging from her sides. The herpetological team placed her is a quiet environment with sufficient substrate to dig a hole deep enough to lay her eggs and left her alone . Unfortunately, over the following four days, although she remained calm, she did not lay her eggs in the substrate.
 
On Monday morning the monitor was examined by the SAAMBR veterinary team who performed radiographs and an ultrasound which, as expected, showed her coelomic cavity to be full of eggs.
She was treated with supportive fluids for hydration, and medication to induce the laying process.
The following day (Tuesday 13 June), she proceeded to lay 27 viable eggs, which are currently being incubated in SAAMBR’s reptile rehabilitation facility.
 
The monitor will have a follow up medical examination and radiographs to confirm that all her eggs have passed. If she is found to be without any eggs and is eating well, she will be released at a suitable location.
Nile monitors are the largest lizards in Africa, growing up to 7ft in length and feed on insects, birds, eggs and rodents. They use their powerful tails to swim through the water as well as in self-defence to whip and intimidate their assailants.
 
The Nile monitor is a TOPS (Threatened or protected species) listed species and is protected by law in South Africa.

World Oceans Day Beach Clean-up

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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 uShaka Beach to celebrate World Oceans Day by picking up litter.

The uShaka Beach section of the Durban promenade was buzzing with enthusiastic ocean ambassadors who managed to collect 34 bags of litter in a very short period. Often when we look at the beach it appears to be clean but when we look really closely, we notice thousands of small plastic nurdles in and on the sand. This wonderful group of ocean ambassadors managed to pick up in excess of 1200 nurdles in just 2 hours.

Thank you everyone who joined the World Oceans Day Beach-Cleanup – we look forward to seeing you at the next beach cleanup planned for September.

ORI Hosts Training Workshop

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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 past four years, WIO-Benth has been accumulating information on offshore seabed habitats and faunal communities in the Western Indian Ocean, and the time has come to pull the various data sets together to produce biodiversity and habitat maps for the region. Assisted by experts from the Universities of Cape Town and Stellenbosch, the workshop examined preliminary outputs of several analytical community/habitat models, and debated the limitations of the data as well as the interpretations of the findings.

Apart from the South Africans, there were participants from Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya and Madagascar. WIO-Benth is funded by the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association; project outputs will eventually be housed by the Nairobi Convention, and will assist WIO countries with Marine Spatial Planning.