Dear SMART Members and Friends,
Pup season continues at full intensity, keeping our volunteers on the run with multiple rescues and the logistical challenges of returning healthy pups to Seal Island.
Another Week of Intensive Pup Rescues
We responded to another cluster of stranded pups this week, primarily at Dias and Bayview beaches. Each rescue follows our established protocol:
- Pups are transported to Hartenbos Animal Hospital (HAH) for weighing, examination, and documentation
- Healthy pups receive the all-clear, are marked with identification numbers, and returned to Seal Island as quickly as possible
The Hidden Challenges
What many don’t see is the extraordinary effort behind each rescue. Our volunteers not only battle extreme traffic in Voorbaai when collecting stranded pups, but must repeat the journey in reverse a day or two later – timing their arrival precisely to meet the boat for island transport. It’s a logistical dance that requires dedication, flexibility, and perfect coordination.
Making a Difference – A Visitor’s Perspective
A touching moment this week: A German couple told us that finding a stranded pup and experiencing SMART’s response has been the highlight of their entire visit to South Africa. This is what our work means – not just to the animals we save, but to the people who witness compassion in action.
Volunteer Appreciation
We often feel we’re stretching our volunteers to their absolute limits, yet they respond without complaint and interact wonderfully with the public. Heartfelt thanks to our dedicated pup rescue team: Elzan, Michael, Ursula, Michelle, Annelize, and Tersia. All handlers have been vaccinated against rabies as a safety precaution.
Special gratitude to Romanza Cruises for their continued assistance in transporting pups back to Seal Island.
Dolphin Stranding
Friday, November 28th brought a sad discovery – a newborn dolphin beached at Kleinbrak. The animal was already deceased, and a frighteningly intense thunderstorm prevented immediate response. We were able to photograph and collect a skin sample Saturday morning for research purposes.
Ongoing Monitoring
We’ve received reports of many dead seals, especially pups, washing ashore. We’ll receive accurate carcass numbers from the Municipality at month’s end to better understand mortality patterns during this peak season.
Looking Ahead: Holiday Season
Schools close next week, and we’ll be welcoming thousands of December holiday visitors to our area. While this presents additional challenges for marine wildlife monitoring, we wish all visitors happy and safe holidays! 🥴
Support S.M.A.R.T. through the Woolworths App
Woolworths no longer issues physical cards or forms – everything is now done conveniently on your phone. Please follow these easy steps to support Stranded Marine Animals Rescue Team:
- Download the Woolworths App
- Register if you don’t have a card, or log in if you already do
- At the bottom of the screen, select “Loyalty”
- Then choose “Join myDifference” (this is the new name for the Causes programme)
- Tap “Get Started” and follow the prompts (you’ll enter your ID, personal details, accept the T&Cs, and finish setup)
- Then select “Explore Loyalty Hub” – you should now see your card number and barcode (this is what you scan at Woolworths)
- Go to Causes, then select “Choose my own”
- Under Environment, scroll until you find Stranded Marine Animals Rescue Team, then tap Add
Your support makes a difference every time you shop at Woolies! Thank you for helping us save our precious marine wildlife.
Until next week, The SMART Team
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Never approach, touch, or attempt to return stranded marine animals to the water. Always call SMART responders and keep a safe distance while waiting for trained personnel to arrive.
