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Swim to help turtle hatchlings

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

KAYLYNNE.BANTOM@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

Morethan20ocean lovers braved cold waterand strong currents united by asharedgoalofprotectingthe ocean.

Everystroketheytook helped raiseawareness andsupport forendangeredsea turtlesand the importantworkofthe TwoOceansAquarium Foundation Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC) in Cape Town

On Sunday 25 Aprilthe groupswam11km from RobbenIslandtoGranger Bay, crossing thebusyshipping lanesofTable BayHarbour in atough butmeaningful challenge.

They aimedtoraise R625 000 forthe TCC, helpingtosupport therescueand rehabilitation of injuredand stranded seaturtles

Currently theteamhas raised just over R605 000, with donationsstill coming in Theinitiativeisthe brainchild of Vicky Hyland,a teacheratStCyprian Preparatory School

Shesaysthe school donatesthe proceeds from itsannual swimathontosupport hatchling turtlesatthe TCC.

Hyland says earlierthisyearshe suggested that adults take on an open waterswimand each participantwould be responsibletoraise R20000.

“I know theaquariumisalwayslookingat ways to raisemorefunds.And Isuggested to them that adults swim…theythought that wasa greatideaand we gotrolling with it.”

Shesaystheyinitially hopedtoraise about R300 000, butasthe weeksprogressedmore people showed interest in theirgoal, they exceeded theirtarget.

Hyland describesthe swim as challengingbut worthit.

“The daystarted off beautiful butabout 5kmintothe swim theweather changed. And we were suddenly swimming rightintothe

HAD ASMALL SEAL SWIMMING BELOW US FOR ALONG TIME,ALOVELY DISTRACTION

current…Westoppedevery 30 minutesto feed,and we realised each time we stopped, we driftedbacktowards RobbenIsland.”

Sheexplainsthatastheyreached GrangerBay theweather begantoclear

“Weﬁnished in good weatherconditions. The visibility on theday wasgood.Wehad agroup from theTwo Oceans Aquarium whodid a 200m dash swim

“Somedid arelay;somedid asoloswim. But we were allswimming together forthe same commongood.”

BEAUTIFULMOMENTS

“Wehad asmall seal swimming belowusfor alongtimeand that is such alovelydistraction when youhavebeen swimming forsolong. As I reachedGranger Baya dolphinwas swimming closetome. As much as it wastough,there were some beautiful moments.”

Reflecting on theimpactofsmall actionsand theroleofyoung learners in conservation,she said nobody is ever toosmall to make adifference

Sheexpressedher gratitudetothe boat crew andall whosupported them on theday

TalithaNoble-Trull, Conservation Manager at theTwo Oceans Aquarium Foundation,said theinitiativestretches farbeyondjustraising funds,adding that it is aboutraising awareness andinspiring action forocean conservation

“Weare nowabletorehabilitatemoreturtles, give them improved care andget them to the stagewhere they canbereleasedbackintothe ocean. ”

Sheexplained that theswimroute from RobbenIslandtoGranger Baywas chosen to

MUCHCOLDER

Shesaidmoststrandingsoccur between Marchand July andare mainly linked to hatchlingsthatoriginate in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

“Eachyearthose hatchlings come outofthe seaand make theirway down ourcoastline Andwhentheyreach theSouthernpartof thecoastline they getpushedout of thewarm current into thecoastal waterwhich is much colder

In addition to injuries,theyare then pushed onto theshore with thewinterstorm.”

Sheadvised thepublicnot to return washedup turtlestothe sea, butinstead to call the Rescue hotlineon083 3001663 forassistance

“Currently we have nothad severe temperature dropsinthe wateryet…so they’vebeen washingupinNoordhoekand Kommetjie beaches.

“Whenwelook at theweather aheadweare expectingtosee more strandingcomeinalong theSouthernCoast of SouthAfrica.”

Sheexpressedher gratitudetothe team for theirefforts

Anyone who wish to donatecan visithttps:// bit.ly/3OwktyT

Swimmerstakeonthe 11km crossing from Robben Island to Granger Bayinsupport of turtle conservation.

Oc Ba bil

Newwalk improves

KAYLYNNEBANTON

Reachingthe topofTable Mountain is nowa more inclusiveexperience, thanks to anewly launched UniversalAccess Walkwaydesignedfor every visitor.

Thewalkway enablesvisitorsusing wheelchairs,aswellasthose with pramsormobility challenges,toexperiencethe summitsafelyand comfortably.

Thedevelopment,which is apartnership between theSouth AfricanNationalParks (SANParks),and theTable Mountain Aerial Cableway Company(TMACC),marks asignificantstepinadvancing inclusivetourism and universaldesignatone of SouthAfrica’smost iconic landmarks.

Wahida Parker,managingdirectorofTMACC, explainedhow thecompany will ensure theongoingmaintenance andsafetyofthe walkway, particularly in response to changing weather conditions at thesummit.

“The walkwayhas been carefully designed and engineered with thesummit’suniqueand often changing weatherconditionsinmind.

“There areother structures andwalkways on topofthe mountain,and thesehavebeen impeccablymaintainedovermanyyears.”

ShesaidTMACC worksclosely with SANParks to ensure it is well maintained andcontinues to providea safe andcomfortable experience for allthe visitors

Parker said theUniversal Access Walkway formspartofa broaderapproach to improving accessibility at TableMountain.

“Itbuildsonexistingfeaturesthatsupport more independentmovementacrossthe site

disabi ty sens isatio is fo spartofour broadercommitmenttodignity,independence, andensuringmorepeoplecan experience Table Mountain withoutbarriers,”explained Parker

Cape Town hasbeen namedthe world’stop mountain destinationfor this year,beating well-knownspots in Europe like Chamonix, Zakopane andBergen.

Theranking,conducted by international connectivityproviderHolafly, gave thecitythe highestoverall scoreof76,9after lookingat factorssuchashikingoptions,affordability, places to stay,accessibility,outdoor activities, airquality andoverall qualityoflife.

TheresulthighlightsCapeTown’sstrong global appeal andisa majorboostfor tourism in SouthAfrica.

JP Louw,SANParksheadofcommunications,

said SANParks approaches accessibility as a built-in standard rather than an add-on,which is keytokeepingimprovementsbothaffordable andbroadly inclusive.

“SANParkshas prioritiseduniversal access for over 20 years, steadily integratinginclusive design into itsinfrastructurerollout across parks.

“Asa result,accessibility features,suchas step-freeaccess, appropriategradients,and user-friendlyamenities aretreated as standard components of developmentratherthanspecialised or costly additions.”

He said SANParks also focusesonscalable

andcontext-sensitive solutions.

“Designs areadapted to theenvironmental andoperational realitiesofeachpark, ensuring that accessibility interventionsremainpractical, cost-effective,and environmentally responsible, whilestill meetingthe needsofa diversevisitor base,including personswithdisabilities, the elderly, andfamilieswithyoung children He explainedthatthrough early-stageintegration, andlong-term planning,SANParks ensuresthataccessibility improvements remain ﬁnancially sustainablewhile promoting“equitableaccess” forall visitors

TheUniversalAccess Walkwayismaking Table Mountain moreinclusivefor wheelchair users and visitors with mobilitychallenges PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Designed forsafetyand comfort, thenew walkway ensures morepeoplecan experiencethe views from TableMountain.

Helptheseabandonedanimalsgetnewhomes Helptheseabandonedanimals

DOGS:

Toshine thespotlight on thousandsof pets that areabandoned or in need of newhomes,

People’s Post hasteamedupwithTEARS

Animal Rescue to help some of these four-leggedpetsget newhomes

Once amonth we will publishseveral dogs and cats up foradoption.

TEARSisa pro-life non-proﬁtorganisation (NPO)established in 1999 to rescue,treat,rehabilitate,reunite andre-home lost,abandoned, abused andneglected companionanimals and to educatepet owners andthe youthlivingin thefourunder-resourced communities.The NPOremains theonlyfacilityinthe Cape Peninsula’sfar Southavailable sevendaysper week,including an after-hoursmobile clinic servicefrom16:30 to 19:00withlimited veterinarycare.

TEARStreatshundredsofanimals forvarious conditions,illnessesand injuries

.Nikolai: abig,goofy Boxer-Pitty-Africanis mixwitha resilientheart.Rescued in terrible condition—starvedand battlingtick-bornedisease—he’stransformed into agentle, easy-going companion. Toy-obsessedand water-loving, he walkswellonleadand hasbasic obedience training.Dog-socialoutside butselective at home,nocats. Afterthree yearswaiting,he needsanexperienced ownertoshowhim lastinglove.

.Demi:a sweet,intelligent Pibblecross balancingcuddlyaffection with high energy Toy-loving andbeach-obsessed, shethrives in an active home andmakes agreat hiking companion. She prefersbeing thecentreof attentionbut canlivewiththe rightdog.Independentand strong-willed, she’salsogentleat heart—andnow even helpsbuild conﬁdencein otherdogs.

.Britney: ayoung Boerboel–Pitbull mixwith agentlespiritand soulful eyes.Rescued in poor condition, she’sblossoming into aloving, play-

ful companion. Shyatﬁrst, shequickly becomes affectionateand cuddly. Toy-loving andgreat with dogs,she’d thrive with patientowners. Just undera year old, Britneyisready to grow into adevoted,joyful best friend

.Bruno: astriking, sweet-natured dogwho’s shyatﬁrstbut deeply affectionateoncehe knowsyou.After 200+ weekswaiting,he’s readyfor ahome. Strong,energetic andadventure-loving, he needsanexperienced ownerfor guidance andexercise. Dog-selectiveand devoted,Bruno wouldthriveasyourone-and-only, loyalcompanion with endlesslovetogive.

CATS:

.Gracie:a playful ginger catwho’s traded her calm mama days fora life of funand mischief Energeticand cheeky, sheturns everything into agameand keepsyou entertainedwithher bold personality. Beneaththe chaosisa loving companion.Graciewould thrive in ahomeready for laughter,play, anda littleadventure

.Lexy:a shybut striking calico with beautiful

markings anda gentle,curious nature.Found in Muizenberg,she’s lookingfor apatient home that understandsher need forquiet,cosyhiding spots. Beneathher timidexteriorisa playful soul readytobonddeeply.Withtimeand love, Lexy will grow into aloyal,affectionatecompanion

.Merlot:a striking black-and-whitetuxedo catwitha rich,affectionatepersonality.A true people’s cat, sheloves attentionand thriveson laptimeand closecompanionship.While she toleratesother cats,she prefersbeing thecentre of attention. Loyaland devoted, Merlot is ready to become aconstant, cuddlypresenceina home that’s allhers.

.Paprika: asassy calico with aplayful,mysteriouspersonality.Initially reserved,she needs time andpatiencetobuild trust, butonceshe does,she becomesaffectionate, playful,and full of charm. This “calicoqueen”enjoysinteraction on herterms andrewards patience with cuddles andfun.Paprika is lookingfor acalm, understanding home to help hershine