FELA: Friends of the East London Aquarium

10/09/2024

Come join us as we celebrate the annual beach-clean up. This one of the world’s largest environmental awareness events that urges people to take an active role in the preservation and cleaning up of the ocean

08/09/2024

There are only 1,200 of them left in Southern California.

04/09/2024

25/08/2024

The Roman-era artwork was likely preserved thanks to a remodeling project in the third or fourth century C.E.

15/08/2024

Ocean Park, which houses the pandas, had kept the pregnancy quiet.

12/08/2024

12/08/2024

01/08/2024

After years of advocacy, Charlie, the beloved African elephant at Pretoria's National Zoological Garden, is finally on his way to freedom and

28/07/2024

19/07/2024

On the 14th July 2024 the Mammal and Bird Department at uShaka Sea World admitted their second stranded penguin of the season. Unfortunately, their first patient, young Ace, did not survive. They are however hopeful that this young penguin who was found stranded on the beach at Salt Rock, will not only survive but thrive.

On admission he was found to be terribly thin and dehydrated with bite marks on his left wing and right shoulder. Thankfully, X-Rays showed no broken bones. The staff named him Bowie after 70's rock star David Bowie.

After an initial period of deep rest and rehydration, he woke up with a surprisingly ferocious appetite. He has put on half a kilogram since he arrived. A healthy African Penguin at his age should weigh 2.8kg and his weight was well below that figure.

"I am confident that Bowie will reach his goal weight within the next 3 weeks as he is already eating 9 sardines a day. He is a gentle penguin who seems focussed on regaining his strength whilst at the same time keeping himself nice and clean. He enjoys his baths and wipe downs and tries hard to participate by clumsily attempting to preen himself. I feel honoured to be Bowie's caregiver and look forward to every interaction I have with him," said uShaka Sea World Lead Animal Care Specialist, Kelly de Klerk.

If you come across a penguin on any KZN beach, it is most certainly out of its home range and in need of assistance. Please do not attempt to return the penguin to the ocean and contact us as soon as you are able on our 24 hour line - 031 3288222.

KZN Marine Stranding Network uShaka Marine World Penguin Promises African Penguin NOOW Kelly De Klerk

18/07/2024

Two adult Yellow-bellied sea snakes which spent the past two weeks in the care of uShaka Sea World herpetologists, were released 20 nautical miles out to sea this morning.

These highly venomous sea snakes originally stranded on beaches in the Western Cape at Natures Valley and Lookout Beach. They were initially cared for by local snake rescuer Tiago Rebelo before being flown to uShaka Sea World.

Yellow-bellied sea snakes are true snakes and spend their lives drifting on the surface of the water, feeding on surface pelagic fish and drifter fish, which are usually found in association with floating objects.

Although we are not certain why these incredibly beautiful snakes washed up on the beach, it is possible that the rough weather conditions in the area around the time of their stranding would have played a role in their washing up on the beach.

The Yellow-bellied sea snake is one of the most widely distributed snakes in the world, occurring in every ocean except the Atlantic. Their distribution does, however, favour warmer waters. The best second chance we could give these two fortunate sea snakes was to release them into the warm Agulhas current off Durban.

“If you come across a sea snake, it is important that you do not attempt to put it back in the sea, but rather contact wildlife authorities or snake experts as they are highly venomous. You will notice I was wearing bite proof gloves when I released the snakes this morning” said uShaka Sea World Senior Herpetologist, Carl Schloms.

Thank you to FlyCemAir for generously sponsoring the transportation, CapeNature and to everyone on the Plett Marine Animal Stranding Network with a special thanks to Mark Brown and Chanel Gemae Visser

KZN Marine Stranding Network uShaka Marine World Snake Rescue

14/07/2024

A rescue operation is underway after dozens of pilot whales have been found stranded on an Orkney beach.
It's the biggest mass stranding in decades as pod of 77 whales wash ashore.
Hope they save as many of the 12 still alive as they can. Really sad sight. 😢

https://news.stv.tv/highlands-islands/dozens-of-whales-found-dead-on-orkney-beach-after-mass-stranding

06/07/2024

Minister accused of placing fishing industry interests above the survival of penguins.

28/06/2024

AQUARIUM WISH LIST:

We are looking for silicone ice trays to use for enrichment feeding of the animals.
If you have any that you are not using and would like to donate then please drop off at the aquarium or contact 063 538 8646

THANK YOU.

24/06/2024

A young male Cape fur seal was reported from Kwelera this past weekend.

An investigation has revealed that the animal was under-nourished and fortunately had not suffered any physical trauma, as no wounds or bite marks were noted, museum scientist Kevin Cole said.

Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism ranger Anelisa Mandzendze is thanked for assisting with measurements and loading the 1.94m animal, which has been temporarily secured at the museum.

It will be transported to Bayworld where a full necropsy will be undertaken with Dr Greg Hofmeyr, curator of marine mammals.

10/06/2024

10/06/2024

We are incredibly proud to announce that of St Andrew's School for Girls in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, was honoured with the prestigious Foundation of Environmental Education ( ) Global Teacher Award!
Aziezah is the only teacher from South Africa among 17 global winners and 46 shortlisted teachers from 16 countries. During her presentation, she highlighted their whole-school approach to embedding environmental stewardship and climate consciousness into their school curriculum and daily lives.

WESSA has worked closely with Aziezah over the years, and we salute her passion for actively driving environmental awareness and sustainability at her school. Through this award, FEE aims to recognise the efforts of outstanding teachers from the global network who promote and integrate Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in their schools and communities. This award celebrates professional excellence, outstanding achievements, and spreads inspirational stories.

Congratulations, Aziezah, for this well-deserved recognition!

05/06/2024

Please note: Everybody who wishes to take part in the Orient clean-up on Thursday 6 June can park inside the Orient Complex. Enter at the security boom next to Wimpy.
Bags and gloves sponsored by KELSEF and Leader Packaging. Please bring rakes and spades if you can, heavy duty gloves if you wish and gumboots if you have. 7.30am onwards.

31/05/2024

Join us for a beach clean up on 8 June for World Ocean Day. We strive to make impactful change in our community and what better way to do it than by doing our bit to keep our beautiful beaches clean.

A big thank you to Sasol Chiselhurst for sponsoring us the black bags for the day we appreciate the support. We also have WeBuyCars joining us with a sponsorship of refreshments as well as a truck and bakkies to load the collected trash. Its great to have local businesses involved with our initiatives

Come along, bring the whole family, bring your own gloves and join in.

31/05/2024

27/05/2024