The Penguin Diaries of Cape St Francis
The almost unspoilt bay of Cape St Francis is famous for begin a haven of tranquillity and beauty – R & R at its best, from the wonderful accommodation, the endless beaches to the friendly locals. There are however some famous locals who reside in Cape St Francis for another kind of R & R – rescue and rehabilitation.
The Eastern Cape Penguin Rehabilitation Project dedicates its time to mitigating the human impact on marine birds and mammals through research, emergency response and rescue, rehabilitation, and education. Their work mainly involves oiled, sick and dehydrated or injured African Penguins. As a marine bird rehabilitation centre they provide treatment and temporary care to injured, diseased, displaced or oiled indigenous marine birds with their eventual aim being to return these animals to the wild in order to help maintain population figures.
Their custom designed facility based at the famous Cape St Francis Lighthouse was completed in December 2006 and houses a Rehabilitation Facility as well as an Intensive Care Hospital that consists of a hospital room, a treatment room and a store room. The rehabilitation facility is an outside facility where Penguins are moved into once they have been stabilised in the hospital and will remain there until they are have reached the correct weight and are fully waterproofed. The amazing marine art work on the outside wall was done by artist, surfer and environmentalist, Stephen Bibb, adding warmth and personality to the facility.
Fortunately the African Penguin is a tough animal, and is able to handle the rehabilitation process much better than other species. Combined with a well managed rehabilitation facility and a committed team of volunteers, these animals at last have a fighting chance. The event was initiated not only promote the beautiful seaside town of Cape St Francis, but also to support the Eastern Cape Penguin Rehabilitation Project. For more information about the Eastern Cape Penguin Rehabilitation Project, visit www.penguin-rescue.org.za.
Come and see headlining act the Alter-Irving Band rock the night away on 4 December 2010 and join the dance by tapping your feet, not only to the rhythm of the musical mastery of Alter-Irving melodies, but to the rhythm of your heart as well. Tickets are available at Computicket. Accommodation can be booked at the Cape St Francis Resort and Lifestyle Estate at R320 per person sharing. To book, contact Riekie at 042 298 0054 or visit our website at www.capestfrancis.co.za.
The brain behind this project is Lee Travel Consulting (LTC), they are not only knowledgeable about everything travel related, but also passionate about everything about the industry.
They have built a reputation for innovation and solutions in both marketing and product development.
The team behind LTC, spear-headed by MD Chris Lee internationally and Des Lubbe nationally, has a wealth of experience between them to be able to offer clients the best service, professional advice at the most competitive rates.
The team is comprised of an array of members with extensive knowledge of world travel, dedicated to providing clients with an unrivalled experience of service excellence, marketing magic and 5-star PR.
The LTC team are able to provide clients with professional support globally. So, if you have a destination that could do with some great PR and the input of a travel consultancy with a world of experience at its fingertips, there is only one door you need to knock on; that of LTC.
Media Enquiries: mimi finestone & Mariki Theron c/o House of Ngamathuba
Cell: 0027 (0)84 583 3144 & 0027(0)83 375 3973
Fax: 0027(0)86 530 3249
ngmathuba@octagonal.co.za & experiences@octagonal.co.za
Penguins take to the seas on maiden voyage
Almost 90 penguin chicks braved the big blue about two weeks ago after being rescued and rehabilitated at the Eastern Cape Penguin Rehabilitation Centre in Cape St Francis
The Eastern Cape Penguin Rehabilitation Project is an organisation dedicated to happy flippers. Their work mainly involves oiled, sick and dehydrated or injured African Penguins. They rescue and rehabilitate vulnerable and injured penguins and other marine animals as well as educate people about the effects things like pollution have on the environment these creatures call home.
The subsequent release of almost 90 chicks two weeks ago was surely an incredible feat. Most of the chicks were rescued off the island making it their first encounter with the ocean after being taught to swim at the Penguin Centre’s swimming pool.
They rely solely on contributions from benefactors who effectively “sponsor” each animal’s rehabilitation. One of the patrons of this caring organisation is the Cape St Francis resort, parents to two of the penguins who were recently released. These two chicks had a special place in the hearts of the staff at the Cape St Francis Resort and were dubbed Elvis and Priscilla. As they spread their flippers and braved the great big ocean they waved a fond farewell to the people they had come to know as family. The resort staff were however surprised and overjoyed when Elvis R (Elvis “Resort”) returned to the resort’s shores a few days later – hopefully to visit some good friends he made at the Cape St Francis Resort.
With the population figures of especially the African penguin dwindling, it is thanks to and because of organisations like the Eastern Cape Penguin Rehabilitation Centre that there is a glimmer of hope that, one day these figures will not only be seen as improving, but positively burgeoning!
