PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Two nature organisations have pooled their expertise to start the Living with Nature Initiative.
The initiative, involving Eco Explorer and Conserve Eden, working in conjunction with the Plett Marine Stranding Network, is aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence between people (and pets) and nature.
"We are fortunate to live in a beautiful country, with the Garden Route being a premier nature destination," says Eco Explorer founder Priyanka Naidoo.
"With the ever-increasing number of visitors to the area, as well as people relocating from cities, we thought that it would be a great opportunity to share factual information about the fascinating natural world around us."
Pufferfish
An example of its impact as a "nature information catalyst" involved the recent stranding and washing ashore of pufferfish (blaasoppies), and possibly some venomous yellow-bellied sea snakes, along the Garden Route coastline.
Further up the coast at Gqeberha a puppy enjoying a beach walk with its owners chewed on a dead pufferfish and died. Pufferfish are highly toxic due to the tetrodotoxin they contain, which can cause death if ingested.
Strong easterly and southerly onshore winds cause the phenomenon of the toxic creatures washing ashore.
Beachgoers warned
The Living with Nature Initiative took the opportunity to warn beachgoers along the Garden Route coastline, especially at Plettenberg Bay, to be aware of the toxic pufferfish and yellow-bellied sea snakes they encounter when using the beaches and walking their pets.
"These marine creatures pose significant risks to both humans and pets. However, they play an important role in our ecosystem," said Naidoo.
"We should, therefore, not aim to harm them, but rather avoid them on the odd occasion that we are in contact.
'Natural occurrence'
"This is a natural occurrence and something that people should look out for, especially after a windy day. We want to ensure that people are aware of the dangers but not create fear of wildlife.
"It is through creating awareness that we hope to not only prevent incidents, but also foster an appreciation for the natural world."
Any sightings of dead or alive marine animals must be reported immediately to the Plett Stranding Hotline on 079 463 4837.
Importance of reports
Plett Marine Stranding Network coordinator, Chanel Visser, elaborated on the importance of reporting and how to report: reporting can be done via WhatsApp messages or via a phone call:
"Live animals: most animals require assistance when found ashore. The worst thing to do is return them to the ocean; they're ashore for a reason;
"Please report an animal ashore as soon as possible with photographs and videos or otherwise an in-depth description. Animals in need of assistance require experienced individuals to assist;
"Do not touch an animal without permission from a trained and permitted individual. Please send a pin location or in-depth description of where and when the animal was seen so that an appropriate response can be arranged; and
"Animals ashore can be disturbed or harmed by people or other animals and can also pose a threat to people and other animals if left ashore and not rescued according to national laws and regulations."
"Dead animals: Please report all dead stranded marine animals with locations and photos, if possible, for ongoing research and proactive management of stranded carcasses. Deceased marine animals ashore are not a common occurrence among many species, so data collected from these animals is very important for marine research; and
"Do not touch any stranded animals without permission from permitted and trained individuals. Marine animals carry many harmful bacteria, diseases and illnesses."
"Save the Plett Stranding Hotline number, 079 463 4837, and do your bit to keep people, pets and wildlife safe," said Visser.
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