Another full and varied week. Extreme weather on Thursday brought two simultaneous call-outs at Hartenbos — a seal pup and a loggerhead hatchling. A second hatchling followed on Saturday. Two public awareness events bookended the week, with a Probus Club address on Monday and a World Environment Day display at Life Bayview Hospital on Friday. World Oceans Week brings further outreach this coming week at the Diaz Museum.
Outreach — Probus Club, Mossel Bay
📍 Location: Probus Club, Mossel Bay 📅 Date: Monday 1 June 👤 Responders: Tersia, Ursula, Annelize
- SMART was invited to address members of the Probus Club — a welcome opportunity to share the team’s mission and activities with a group of engaged retired persons.
- Tersia, Ursula and Annelize represented SMART with distinction. Thank you to the Probus Club for the invitation and warm hospitality.
🌊 Outreach Note: Reaching adult community groups is as important as school visits — these are the eyes on the beaches and the voices that call us. Every conversation counts.
Incident 1 — Seal Pup Rescued in Storm, Hartenbos
📍 Location: Hartenbos 📅 Date: Thursday 4 June 👤 Responders: Ursula
- Extreme weather conditions drove a seal pup high up onto the grass slope at Hartenbos. Ursula responded and successfully rescued the animal, which was taken to HAH for care.
- Sadly, the pup died two days later despite treatment. The harsh conditions had clearly taken a severe toll.
⚠️ Outcome: Pup died Saturday 6 June at HAH. We cannot save them all, but every effort to give them a chance matters. Thank you, Ursula.
Incident 2 — Loggerhead Hatchling, Hartenbos
📍 Location: Hartenbos 📅 Date: Thursday 4 June 👤 Responders: Michael
- During the same storm conditions, Michael found a loggerhead hatchling at Hartenbos and took it directly to HAH.
- The little one was transferred to Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town the same day for care and rehabilitation.
🐢 Outcome: Hatchling transferred to Two Oceans same day. 2026 season tally: 4 hatchlings rescued to date.
Incident 3 — Loggerhead Hatchling, Hartenbos
📍 Location: Hartenbos 📅 Date: Saturday 6 June 👤 Responders: Tersia, Meehika
- A second loggerhead hatchling was found at Hartenbos on Saturday. Tersia and Meehika responded and transported it to HAH.
- This hatchling will be transferred to Two Oceans tomorrow to join its Hartenbos companion already in the turtle rehabilitation centre.
🐢 Outcome: Transfer to Two Oceans scheduled Sunday 7 June. 2026 season tally: 5 hatchlings rescued to date.
Outreach — World Environment Day Display, Life Bayview Hospital
📍 Location: Life Bayview Hospital 📅 Date: Friday 5 June 👤 Responders: Ursula, Linda, Michelle, Doreen, Val
- SMART set up a display at Life Bayview Hospital in recognition of World Environment Day, drawing significant interest from both staff and the public.
- As a welcome bonus on a cold winter’s day, the team was treated to delicious soup by their hosts. Many thanks to Ursula, Linda, Michelle, Doreen and Val for representing SMART so ably.
🌍 World Environment Day: Celebrated annually on 5 June. SMART’s participation keeps our marine conservation message visible in community spaces beyond the beach. Well done to the team!
Coming Up — World Oceans Week Display, Diaz Museum
- SMART will be hosting a special display at the Diaz Museum (the Granary) this coming week, focused on the hazards of pollution to our marine animals — in recognition of World Oceans Week.
- Sammy the Turtle Mascot will be in attendance on Tuesday when school groups visit. All are welcome to pop in and have a look.
📌 Visit Us: Diaz Museum (the Granary), Mossel Bay — World Oceans Week display. Sammy present on Tuesday for school visits. Come and show your support!
Till next Sunday — keep warm and be safe. 🐾