Two Oceans Aquarium Assistant Communications and Sustainability Manager Renée Leeuwner is a keen blogger and a member of the Aquarium’s Green Team. Last year, Renée joined Two Oceans Aquarium Senior Bird Trainer Hayley McLellan and uShaka Sea World’s Gabby Harris as they waddled for the African penguin; this year, from 16 to 21 April, she’ll once again be live-blogging and tweeting about the Waddle on the road!
In May 2011, I joined a group of ladies on their intrepid Waddle from Gansbaai to Simon’s Town. They were doing the trek because they wanted to raise awareness about the plight of the endangered African penguin. I did the drive (I was the support team), because I wanted to be part of something bigger than just me – something that I cared about and something through which I could make a difference.
The Waddlers braved extreme weather like only Cape Town can throw at one. They walked through sunshine, pouring rain, wind and ominous overcast skies. And while they walked I stayed in my car, driving a couple of kilometres ahead of them, taking photos, fielding media calls, worrying about what was happening on the road behind me, and blogging about the happenings of the day. My nerves were on end, but it was worth it!
The Penguin Promises Waddle for a Week campaign placed me in a spot where I had to re-evaluate my place within the environment. I have always thought of myself as trying to live in an environmentally friendly way. The Waddle has made me realise that being “friendly” just isn’t enough anymore. Friendly people smile and nod. Responsible people make a difference. Now I am trying to live in an environmentally responsible way and make a difference by changing my habits.
On the Waddle I had my first encounter with penguins in the wild. Let me just put this into perspective. I’ve lived in Cape Town all my life, have worked at the Two Oceans Aquarium for 12 years and had the opportunity to work with the penguins for a number of months, and on-and-off since. I took part in the Waddle and for the first time visited Stony Point in Betty’s Bay and Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town. Shocking, I know. Eye-opening, for sure. I am not ashamed or too proud to admit that at Stony Point I broke down and cried for a good while. And while I write this now, I am again reminded of the immense awe I felt when I first saw the wild birds. And again my heart is twisted into a knot at the thought of them disappearing.
The good news is that the Waddle is happening again this year and anyone can join this fantastic campaign. The dates are 16 to 21 April, when you can waddle with us for a week, a day or an hour. The African penguin is endemic to southern Africa, as well as endangered, and if quick, smart action is not taken we could be saying goodbye to this African icon within the next 15 years as yet another species slides into extinction …
Let’s not let this happen! Be a part of the solution by visiting www.penguinpromises.com and getting involved however you can. Contact Two Oceans Aquarium Senior Bird Trainer Hayley McLellan on hayley.mclellan@aquarium.co.za for more.
Click here for more information on the Waddle.
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