When most people think of South Africa, a safari on the savannah may come to mind but people often don’t realize that there is another type of safari. Here in Gansbaai, South Africa, where I have now been for the last couple of weeks, there is a safari to be taken on the sea that is just as wondrous and breath taking as the one on land. As on the land you may see elephants, in the sea there are whales. As you might see white lions, you can see great white sharks. There are seals, African penguins, dolphins, string rays, and more.
I am here in Gansbaai volunteering with Marine Dynamics where I have the privilege of seeing these amazing creatures every day. Here at Marine Dynamics we primarily work with the great white sharks and sea birds. I am so proud to be a part of an organization that is making a difference for the animals here before my very eyes every day. My personal involvement is mainly with the African Penguins and a few other types of birds at the rehabilitation center. But I also go out on the boat sometimes to take clients cage diving with the great whites and there is also a research boat and whale watching boat that go out.
My day with the penguins usually starts with cutting up fish. Depending on what is wrong with each bird, they have specific needs for what form the fish they eat are in. This may mean they get only tails, or we may have to cut up fillets or they may be healthy enough to get an entire fish. By the time we are done preparing the fish our fingers are covered in sticky fish scales which resemble sequence. We look as if we have been doing an art or craft. Next we gather the penguins and bring them up to the feeding station where we feed those who can manage by hand. Others must be held and given further assistance. We also have a few seagulls and several cormorant that are fed according to their needs as well. Some are bandaged, broken, or blind but we love them all. But careful! You don’t want to cuddle these little guys, they bite! Apart from feeding we also help administer medicine, take and test blood samples, and do various chores around the rehabilitation center.
At the rate African penguins are dying out, they are foreseen being extinct in less than 15 years and they are not the only ones suffering. Due to recent studies, the number of great whites in the world is only a couple thousand which is startling compared to previously estimated numbers. Sharks are killed for their fins, by being caught in fishing nets, and out of fear every day. Great whites are absolutely beautiful and amazing creatures that render me speechless by their size and power every time I see them. Hopefully by the education we work to give the public here at Marine Dynamics, more people will work to help protect these suffering species.
Here the days are sunny and hot with a constant wind blowing. The wind blows so often and wildly here that some say Gansbaai is where the wind is made. It sure seems that way. The wind constantly blows anything you have outside with you and tangles your hair. But my favorite part of the wind is how you never know what it will blow your way each and every day. Every morning when I walk outside and the warm fresh scented of the sea and mountains hits me, I am left momentarily frozen by it. I can’t wait to see what types of adventures the wind will carry my way during my time here but so far it has been off to a wonderful start.
-Olivia M