A welcomed gift arrived for the Addo Elephant National Park on World Environment Day—the funds for a new patrol boat for the marine rangers!
Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa (06 June 2024) — World Environment Day arrived with a welcomed gift for the Addo Elephant National Park team as the funds for a patrol boat for their Marine Protected Area changed hands.
By way of the Oak Foundation and presented by Wilderness Foundation Africa, the boat cheque (to the tune of R1,300,000) will make a difference for the marine rangers component of the Addo Elephant National Park who work tirelessly to conserve and protect 114,000 hectares of marine ecosystems.
These ecosystems include everything from reefs to sandy beaches and islands. The Marine Protected Areas of the Park also extend to feeding areas for 3,000 pairs of endangered African penguins (Algoa Bay) and those of the 90,000 endangered Cape gannets (Bird Island).
Though the marine rangers are not many, their task is great! As the eyes and ears of vigilance in their dedicated areas (which includes being based on vessels and at places like Bird Island), they are focused on confiscating vessels and fishing equipment, issuing fines for marine-related crimes and even making arrests as part of the larger task to protect South Africa’s precious natural inhabitants and our biodiversity.
The eco-efforts undertaken by the marine rangers are both vital to the delicate structure of the many ecosystems in their care and also inspire youngsters from underserved communities to get involved in eco-careers, as Wilderness Foundation (who have a collaborative relationship with SANParks), emphasised.
And, with a new boat in their arsenal, the team’s efforts can get along that much more effectively!
Sources: SANParks
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 