Helping wildlife rehab survive

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Like many animal rescue and welfare organisations, Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre on the outskirts of Plettenberg Bay has been hard hit by the global Covid-19 pandemic.

In a bid to help the centre, which plays a major role in the rehabilitation of wildlife on the Garden Route, the Bucket List Club will be hosting a talk and presentation at the Sky Villa Boutique Hotel on Friday 25 June.

Besides the talk by expert Ian Thomson on the world-renowned Serengeti migration, participants will also enjoy a local wine tasting with several major prizes up for grabs.

The money raised through ticket sales will be in aid of Tenikwa. The prolonged impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on tourism has forced Tenikwa to retrench staff and wind down the wildlife rehabilitation work - even to consider possible closure of the rehabilitation facilities.

Event organisers said the absence of a generalised wildlife rehabilitation facility to rehabilitate both marine and terrestrial species - from the African Penguin to the little Cape White-eye - would be a "huge loss to the Garden Route".

"Tenikwa has always been there for the wildlife, and now we are needing your help to be there for them. Now is the time to become a 'Friend of Tenikwa'," organisers said in a statement.

Slide show

Thomson's fascination with the annual wildebeest migration in the Serengeti prompted him to prepare a 45-minute slide show and presentation - with the help of long-time colleague Shirli Carswell - to explain the background and facts behind this nine-month pilgrimage, one of the longest and largest wildlife migrations on earth.

The presentation, which includes photographs of the migration, is set to allay misconceptions and misunderstandings about this event in nature.

Organisers not only encourage locals and visitors to purchase tickets for the event, but also encourage animal-lovers to make small monthly donations.

"If enough people can donate a small amount each month, it will assist us to cover the essential monthly costs to keep the rehabilitation facility open. In this way, we can help them care for wildlife in need of help."

The fundraiser is sponsored by Sky Villa Boutique hotel and SoulShine Festival Plett. Tickets are R150 per person and include the presentation as well as the wine tasting. Some of the prizes to be won are stays at luxury establishments.

Tickets can be booked online www.quicket.co.za.

To help Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation centre to survive, the Bucket List Club will be hosting a talk on the annual Serengeti Migration at the Sky Villa Boutique Hotel in Plettenberg Bay on 25 June.