Latest news with #TwoOceansAquarium
News24
27-05-2025
- General
- News24
Massive elephant seal pays Gordon's Bay residents a ‘surprise' visit
An elephant seal has been spotted in a residential area in Gordon's Bay. The SPCA said it is working on a plan to safely remove the seal. Residents have been urged to keep their distance. Gordon's Bay residents woke up to an unexpected visitor in front of their homes on Tuesday morning after an elephant seal took a short trip inland. The seal was spotted outside homes in Sir Lowry's Pass Road. SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham confirmed the incident, describing it as a 'surprise'. 'Our SPCA inspectors are currently on-site in Sir Lowry's Pass Road, where a rather unexpected visitor - an elephant seal - has found its way into a residential area,' she said. 'We're actively working on a safe and stress-free plan to relocate this magnificent marine mammal. Please avoid the area to help us give the seal the space and calm it needs while we carry out the rescue.' According to the Two Ocean's Aquarium, southern elephant seals are the largest of the world's seal species. Males can grow to lengths of nearly seven metres and weigh as much as five tonnes. Females are much smaller than males, typically reaching three metres in length and weighing up to 900kg. Elephant Seal Surprise in Gordon's Bay SPCA Inspectors are currently on site in Sir Lowry's Pass Road, where a rather unexpected visitor — an Elephant Seal — has found its way into a residential area. They're actively working on a safe and stress-free plan to relocate this… — alexlansdowne (@alexlansdowne) May 27, 2025 Southern elephant seals have a wide distribution in the Southern Ocean, with the majority of breeding and resting sites on the Subantarctic and Antarctic Islands. The seals spend up to 85% of each year at sea, only visiting land during breeding, moulting, and winter periods. Elephant seals regularly come ashore along Cape Town's coastline to moult. Among the most famous of these is a southern elephant seal named Buffel. Buffel first appeared in Buffelsbaai in 2016. In the years to follow, Buffel began to reappear on Duiker Island, Fish Hoek Beach, and around Cape Point for his annual moult.
The South African
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Four free things to do in Cape Town on your birthday
Celebrating your birthday in Cape Town doesn't have to cost you anything. In fact, several of the Mother City's most iconic attractions roll out the red carpet with special birthday deals and free experiences just for you! From mountain-top views to coastal rides – here are four things you can enjoy on your big day – completely free of charge… One of Cape Town's most iconic landmarks gives you a free return ticket on your birthday. That's right – you can ride the cable car to the top of Table Mountain and take in panoramic views of the city and coastline, all for nothing! Just bring along your South African ID or driver's licence to claim the offer at the ticket office. The deal is valid for the whole month of your birthday. How to book: No need to pre-book. You can redeem your free ticket at the cableway station on the day you wish to visit. Don't forget to bring along your South African ID, passport, driver's licence etc. For a bird's-eye view of the city, the Cape Wheel gives you a free ride on your birthday (also valid 30 days after your actual birth date). Register online ahead of time via the Cape Wheel's website to receive your birthday voucher, and present your ID on the day to claim it. It's a short but scenic trip with 360° views of the harbour and city. How to book: You can book by filling in an application form on the website to be part of the birthday club. This club membership is available to anyone over 12 years old. Registration of the birthday deal must also be done before your actual date of birth. If you haven't yet experienced the thrill of the Ski-Hi ride atop Hotel Sky, then why not do it for mahala on your b-day? The gravity-defying, breath-taking ride drops to speeds of up to 100km/h – guaranteed to make your day one for the books! The ticket is also valid for the whole month in which your birthdate falls. Valid SA identification is needed. How to book: You can tick the 'Riders Birthday Special' option when booking a regular ticket on Webtickets. 4. Two Oceans Aquarium – Free entry on your birthday Who doesn't love the beauty and mystery of the deep blue sea and all its fascinating creatures? You can visit the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront for free on your birthday or six days after the date. That means you can visit on any one of the seven days during that week, absolutely free of charge! How to book: You can collect your free ticket from the Aquarium's onsite ticket office and you must present a valid proof of identification – this includes ID, passport, driver's licence etc. Tickets must be used on the day that they are collected. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
08-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Join the Trash Bash: beach clean-up for World Turtle Day
A green turtle in their last stages of rehabilitation in the Two Oceans Aquarium I&J Ocean Exhibit, before eventual release back into the ocean. The Two Oceans Aquarium will participate in a significant beach clean-up initiative next Saturday, in collaboration with a local radio station, to celebrate World Turtle Day. Set against the stunning backdrop of Lagoon Beach, the event, aptly named Trash Bash, aims to engage the community in removing litter from one of Table Bay's most polluted shorelines. This event will kick off on World Turtle Day, which falls on 23 May, a date that highlights the urgent need for ocean conservation efforts. Trish Taylor, head of Primedia Cares, emphasised the importance of cleanliness in the marine environment. 'Every piece of plastic we remove from the beach is one less threat to our turtles, our ocean, and ultimately ourselves. Trash Bash isn't just a cleanup—it's a statement that we care, we act, and we believe in the power of community to drive change.' Helen Lockhart, Conservation and Sustainability Manager at the Two Oceans Aquarium, said, 'May is an important month for ocean conservation awareness with Endangered Species Day on 17 May, Biodiversity Day on 22 May, and World Turtle Day on 23 May. These conservation issues are intricately connected, especially as sea turtles are an indicator species for the status of other marine animals and the health of the ocean.' She said if turtle numbers are in decline, 'the future of our oceans is also at stake.' The global crisis of ocean biodiversity loss is particularly alarming for South Africa, where five of the seven endangered sea turtle species are found. Of major concern is plastic pollution, plastic pollution represents one of the most significant threats to these marine creatures. Talitha Noble-Trull, the Turtle Conservation Centre Manager, explained the dire consequences of plastic ingestion. 'Turtles often mistake plastic items floating in the ocean for food. Once consumed, they slowly starve as their stomachs fill up with debris, preventing them from feeling hunger or digesting actual food. Turtles can also get entangled in plastic debris, which further endangers their lives.' The statistics surrounding plastic use and its devastating repercussions are sobering. Each year, an estimated 488 kilotonnes of plastic enter the environment, contributing to pollution across various mediums—275 kt through open burning, 145 kt to land, and 68 kt to aquatic systems. Almost every assessed marine species now encounters plastic pollution, with scientists observing negative impacts on nearly 90% of these groups. It's not just wildlife that suffers; human health is also at risk from microplastics, which have been discovered in drinking water, food, and even breast milk. Much of the plastic contaminating South African beaches comes from nearby urban areas, making clean-ups like the one at Lagoon Beach crucial. This beach, straddling the mouths of the Diep and Salt Rivers, collects various pollutants that flow into the sea, including plastics, chemicals, and other harmful materials. At the Two Oceans Aquarium's Turtle Conservation Centre, the distressing effects of marine pollution become all too apparent. In fact, 71% of the turtles admitted to the Centre excrete plastic within weeks of their arrival. While some turtles sadly cannot be saved, the statistics from 2024 reveal that 205 turtles undergoing rehabilitation had consumed plastic, excreting a staggering total of 1,306 pieces. The situation remains bleak as the 2025 stranding season commences, with 24.4% of admitted turtles already passing a total of 121 pieces of plastic just in the first three months of the year. Despite this grim reality, there is still hope. By making conscious choices regarding our daily plastic use, individuals can play a crucial role in combating ocean pollution. As Phumza Jongihlathi, Community Relationship Coordinator at the Two Oceans Aquarium and Trash Bash organiser noted, 'Beach clean-ups are important ways to Join In, not only to bring a community together to make a difference but also to create awareness around the dangers of plastic pollution to our marine environments.'
IOL News
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
LOOK: Global sensation Ari Lennox' debut at CTIJF 2025 leaves the crowds breathless
A night to remember with Ari Lennox and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Image: Armand Hough A force of nature in the global scene, US-born R&B singer-songwriter sensation Ari Lennox, made her highly anticipated debut at the Cape Town International Jazz festival's finale night last night to the applause of a packed venue. It was intimacy amplified, as she took the audience on a journey with the highs and lows of her velvety voice. Earlier in the week, Lennox enjoyed all the touristy attraction of Cape Town, soaking up the sun on Clifton Fourth Beach and visiting the Two Oceans Aquarium. Her performance, on the Kippies stage, comes fresh on the news that Lennox has officially parted ways with Dreamville Records months after blasting the label on social media. According to reports, Lennox's departure has been handled quietly and she will now be releasing music solely through Interscope Records. Interscope are the sole label credited on Lennox's latest single 'Soft Girl Era'. The crowd was left wanting more: The sensational Ari Lennox wowed audiences at the CTIJF 2025's final night. Image: Fuad Esack Ari Lennox in action. Image: Fuad Esack. If her performance last night was a precursor to what fans can expect from her next chapter, hold on tight: it is nothing short of sensational. Lennox on stage is pure, unfiltered magic - a blend of soulful power, effortless charm and intoxicating authenticity. Bringing her signature blend of sultry vocals, soulful melodies and raw storytelling to the festival stage, Lennox had the crowds singing and dancing along. She was on the Kippies stage with the venue full to capacity. Screams of adoration echoed through the venue as she sang all the songs the world knows and have come to love her for. Ari Lennox moved the crowd at the CTIJF in her performance on the final night. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers And the crowds at the CTIJF 2025 final night went mad about Ari Lennox. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers From the moment she stepped into the spotlight, her rich, honeyed vocals wrapped around the audience like a warm embrace - they were now in Lennox's world and it wasn't one they wanted to leave anytime soon. Lennox describes her own voice as "vulnerable but soulful; imperfect but pretty", and it is all this and much more. Her sassy vibe and soulful - interspersed with a bit of humour - stage presence left audiences at the CTIJF wanting more. Lennox has said in multiple interviews that she is inspired by 90s and 2000s R&B singers such as Mariah Carey, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Whitney Houston, Aaliyah, Lauryn Hill, Mary J Blige and Toni Braxton, among many others. Ari Lennox. Ari Lennox's soulful presence on stage at the final night of the CTIJF moved the crowd. Sensational Ari Lennox. Ari Lennox on Kippies stage. Ari Lennox. In 2019, Lennox swiftly rose to fame with the release of her highly respected debut album titled Shea Butter Baby. Globally known for her contributions to RNB, Lennox has collaborated with Hip-Hop heavyweights such as Spillage Village, reggae musician Skip Marley, and featured on unforgettable songs with 6lack and Kiana Ledé. The year 2022 marked another milestone when Lennox released her next project. Titled Age/Sex/Location, the body of work features 12 songs with appearances from Lucky Daye, Chlöe, and Summer Walker. With a total run time of 41 minutes and 28 seconds, the album is filled with experiences that only Lennox knows how to share. This year, she released her latest song, Soft Girl Era, which marks the beginning of a new chapter for the RNB singer and songwriter. Freshly split from her former label, Dreamville, Ari is ready to take the next step in her career and from what we saw last night, the world has been waiting for this move of the strong, vital RnB singer. Enjoying Clifton Fourth Beach, Ari Lennox. Image: Instagram
