Today we honor, World Rivers Day, observed on every last Sunday of September, established since 2005.

Our rivers are the roots that drive the water-food-energy nexus.

Water is needed for almost all forms of energy production and power generation, the energy is essential to treat and transport water, both needed to produce food.

The complex between the relationships of these lightly linked systems are known as the water-energy-food nexus.

Lets be clear, the pollution problem we are in today are caused by people, and people are  the ones able to change and solve this. We already have many of the tools and technologies that we need to address this problem. The key is for each of us as individuals to start working towards a solution.

Doing SOMETHING is better that doing NOTHING !

Here are a few of the basic ways to start getting involved immediately:

• Clean up beaches and water ways around you.
• Recycle
• Avoid plastic when possible
• Effective oil management to prevent oil spills
• Safe and proper disposal of chemicals

See below for more ideas to help save a waterway near you :

The Garden Route is a very distinct place in South Africa, green and so vibrant with its wealth in Biodiversity. It hosts over 300 species of birds and about 85 mammal species. The Garden Route stretch is 300km long, from far west at Mossel Bay in Western Cape to Storms River in the Eastern Cape. It is the gemstone of South Africa, with beautiful landscapes, Mountain passes, ever Green Forests, beautiful beaches decorating the whole stretch of the Garden Route. It is quite a marvellous experience for many travellers exploring through the Garden Route especially for Free Independent Travellers (FIT)s. The Garden Route hosts a number of guests coming from different parts of the world every year.

The top ten International visitors for South Africa as stated by the Southern and East African Tourism Update website are; United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, India, Australia, China, Netherlands, Brazil, and Canada respectively. Among these top International visitors three off them recorded an increase in visits to South Africa in May 2018 as compared to May 2017 that is, Brazil (9% increase), France (6% increase) and China (5% increase). The rest of the countries have suffered a decrease in entrance numbers this May as compared to last year’s May. The drop in numbers is still a mystery to many. All these international travellers are the key not only to the country’s economy but as well as to many conservation efforts across the country.  Wildlife Tourism being the most popular for many international travellers, indirectly promotes conservation of our natural resources. It also influences a change of mind for many travellers who pass through the Garden Route, to adopt a sense of respect for nature after experiencing a full testimony of how beautiful the world can be, if nurtured. Most of those passing through ending up as involuntary sponsors of conservation efforts not only in the Garden Route but across the world as well. The urban world takes away the eco-consciousness of many as they are spawn from a world surrounded by concrete, steel, glass, processed wood and fake plants. It only takes a visit to a place of natural beauty, a place of tranquillity and a place of recollection, that we find ourselves one with nature. The Garden Route for example, is vibrant with evergreen forests, birdlife, insects, animals and the air fully oxygenated. It is quite an awe of existence, and yet many miss it on their visit to South Africa. They fly in to Cape Town, spend a day or two there, then fly out to Mpumalanga to see the Kruger National Park or Sun City and then leave afterwards with the impression they experienced a full South African safari. Yet part of the best places in South Africa would have been missed out by nature lovers and people looking for a big break from Cityscapes. Only part of the FITs get to discover the best less targeted places in the country and most of them leave pleasant inspiring reviews on social media. They will attest to the brilliance of the Garden Route and its conservation based activities alongside its thriving biodiversity.

We have been blessed in South Africa with many Travel Journalists passing through and sharing their experiences of nice places in South Africa. One of note is André Araújo who is a passionate Tourism Consultant and a Travel Journalist based in Brazil. He travels around the world exploring less publicised intriguing places and writing about them online. He shares his stories on various social platforms to inspire the appreciation of lesser known places harbouring great experiences for travellers. He is of Brazilian origin and shares his travel stories in Portuguese, which is the main language spoken in Brazil. He decorates his travel stories with tangible media like pictures to give a glimpse of the places he visited and experienced. He has shared a number of articles since his recent visit with his step father Gilson Tavares around early May. This we believe has had an impact in the increase of the Brazilian presence in South Africa. Even the Garden Route has been recording a rise in FIT Brazilian travellers of recent late. Below is an extract from one of his articles about Tenikwa;

“Located in the rural region of the Crags, the Tenikwa is a wildlife rehabilitation and  awareness centre aim to raise awareness about the preservation of several species, mainly felines. The main focus of Tenikwa is the rehabilitation and reintroduction of these animals to nature, in some cases when there is no chance of rehabilitating them back into the wild, they remain under Tenikwa’s care. They also have a animal hospital on site (not open to the public) where they heal injured wild life. They rehabilitate about 200 wild animals each year”

Translated from the original Portuguese extract below;

“Localizado na região rural The Crags, o Tenikwa é um centro reabilitação de animais selvagens e também conscientização, pois através de tours guiados visa conscientizar a respeito da preservação de diversas espécies, principalmente felinos. O principal foco do Tenikwa é a reabilitação e a reintrodução desses animais a natureza, em alguns casos quando não há condições de serem devolvidos a vida selvagem, eles permanecem sendo cuidados no Tenikwa, que também possui um mini hospital (não aberto ao público) dedicado aos animais sendo atendidos mais de 200 animais anualmente.”

On this particular article titled “4 PASSEIOS PARA CURTIR NA ÁFRICA DO SUL” translated; “ 4 SHORT RIDES IN SOUTH AFRICA” he wrote about 4 activity places he enjoyed in the Garden Route namely; Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre, Two Oceans Aquarium, Horse Trails at Hog Hollow, and Birds of Eden.  He also composed an alphabetical A to Z tips for a South African experience article. Each alphabetical letter featuring activity places, food and/or accommodation places he recommends from his own experience. He also composed another one on 4 unusual and spectacular themed tours in South Africa. One other article about the Garden Route was shared on a Travel English website called the ‘Out of Your Comfort Zone’ and the article is all in English.

Here below are the links of his adventurous experiences in South Africa;

In a world full of inequality and poverty, more and more children are born in Africa into a world that lives under the poverty line. They not only suffer malnutrition but also end up lacking the basic right to education. This impacts on their future as it mirrors their parent’s failures as they would not make it in life financially in a fast growing civilised world where education is a necessity. Government across the world struggle with balancing this socio-economic problem, where basic necessities are not met for everyone because of such setbacks.

Born In Africa

Born in Africa is one of those dedicated Non Profit Organisations fighting the imbalances in the societies of the world.  They are very active in socio-economically disadvantaged areas around Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. Focusing on educating children and giving them that chance to learn as much as possible about the world around them, by creating a platform that they would not have been possible in their socio-level status. Education is a fundamental right for all kids in the world. The present day children are our future and need to learn the basic principles of life to better manage it in future. A well set education foundation provides solutions for these children, equipping them to get out of hopeless circumstances. They live in an environment which is often dominated by poverty, abuse, and unemployment.

Born In Africa’s mission is to develop well rounded, independent, and successful young adults acting as role models in their communities by providing educational and social support to school going children and young adults from disadvantaged areas in Bitou, South Africa.

EcoKidz

This week on the 25^th of June 2018,  Tenikwa welcomed Born in Africa back with children from different places in the area. We hosted more than 50 children in our facility. They were educated about our South African wild cats and our conservation efforts. They had a great time seeing and learning about these majestic cats, many of which had never been seen before. They left with warm hearts after a fun filled educative day and as pledged Eco-Kidz who respect nature. It all begins with these young ones, if we are to change our destructive actions towards nature which have threatened many species livelihood across the world, big and small.  This group of lucky little ones are few of many that Born in Africa has helped and facilitated tours for with us and we look forward to the next visit on the 29^th of June 2018.

Born in Africa EcoKidz learning about the fastest land animal in the world, the Cheetah.

Born in Africa EcoKidz learning about the Serval from our experienced guide Mthobisi as they observe Walker the Serval ambassador at Tenikwa.

The children of Born In Africa were given this experience, The EcoKidz Family Challenge programme as this particular activity is focused towards the kids. It is an interactive family program geared towards the younger generation and designed to keep the kids engaged as they explore various conservation challenges. At the end of the whole program they pledge to; respect all creature great and small, take good care of animals, to protect their spaces and habitats, to look after the environment, to reduce, re-use and recycle, share their knowledge, and lastly to help others understand to become Eco-Wise.

Born in Africa EcoKidz graced by his royalty Mkulu the Lion ambassador at Tenikwa.

World Environment Day, held each year on 5^th June, gives us yet another opportunity to sit up and re-evaluate our living style. This year’s theme is “Beat Plastic Pollution”.

It is estimated that about 13 million tons of plastics leak into the ocean each year, and about 100 000 marine animals killed by plastic each year. These estimates from trusted environmental organisations reveal how plastic pollution has grown to be the world’s biggest environmental challenge. The amount of solutions or the implementation of plastic solutions is not catching up to the amount of plastics being dumped onto the environment. Sustainable behaviour needs to be practiced by everyone from this day onwards to reduce and solve the plastic problem.

India takes the initiative

India being on the top list of the biggest consumers and polluters in the globe, have taken the initiative to change their ways and lead in practicing sustainable behaviour by hosting this year’s World Environment Day, focussed on the world’s mounting plastic problem. India is taking leadership, given it has one of the highest recycling rates in the world. It can be instrumental in battling plastic pollution across the world. The World Environment Day is a United Nations Environment led global event, one of the most celebrated environmental days each year, recognised and celebrated by many communities.

5.5ft high wave of plastic

India caught the World’s eye when their Versova Beach in Mumbai had about 5.5 feet high plastic garbage on the whole coast, no one could walk along the coast let alone to swim in that ocean.  Two years down the line they managed to turn it all around from disgusting (by their own admission) to currently one of the most beautiful coastal stretches of the world. The whole clean-up was done by community volunteers led by a high spirited Lawyer and Environmentalist Afroz Shah, who after moving into an apartment located by the coastline could not believe what he came across on his backyard ocean view side. He rallied up people to amazingly turn around the trash-ridden coast to pristine. The Versova’s case study now challenges and inspires the whole world to rise up and start leaving responsibly. It is totally not impossible to turn around even the most heavily polluted places to pristine as it has been done and achieved by our fellow people in India.

The Transformed coast of Mumbai, from trash ridden to prestine.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Presently there is a big island of floating plastic garbage in the Pacific Ocean known to date as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This floating mass of plastic is said to be as big as Alaska and it is just moving along with the pacific current.

The last straw

Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre is already practicising responsible business processes. We took one step closer to reducing single use plastics, having recently stopped providing Plastic Straws at our Chesters Café. This is such an easy initiative to institute and one of the eco-friendly steps to beating plastic pollution as it is estimated that over 500 million straws are used daily in certain world class fast economies like the United States and most of which find their way into the ocean somehow.

What you can do;

• Stop using plastic straws,
• Stop using single use plastic products,
• Use reusable water bottle for water and not keep buying single use plastic water bottles,
• Cook more often and fore-go Take-Aways which come with a lot of containers some of which are not bio-degradable or eco-friendly. Refuse plastic cutlery for days you do order something,
• Separate and Recycle plastics by sending them to the relevant recycle companies,
• Take your own shopping bags to the shops and stop buying plastic bags most of which have low percentage of recycled plastics incorporated,
• Buy in bulk, so that you have bigger containers with lasting contents than frequently buying small containers like as with the case of yoghurts,

It all begins with us, to have a pristine environment that will sustain its own natural systems and create a better future we all wish to have. We need to simply Reduce, Recycle and Reuse.

Useful Links;

https://unenvironment.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=81fa4175b1cfc693bd89ea261&id=0be0192805&e=3b0d2acdda

https://www.thebambooproject.co.za/

https://www.ecowatch.com/beach-clean-up-mumbai-2421608193.html

https://abcnews.go.com/International/great-pacific-garbage-patch-massive-floating-island-plastic/story?id=53962147

http://worldenvironmentday.global/

https://tenikwa.com/conservation-awareness/ 

https://tenikwa.com/environmental-calendar/ 

On this day, the 23^rd of May 2018, we celebrate this mystic creatures’ existence through awareness campaigns and showing respect to them through acknowledging the challenges they face. This day was founded by the American Tortoise Rescue (ATR), a non-profit organisation established in 1990 for the protection of all species of Tortoise and Turtle. It is now celebrating its 17^th annual World Turtle Day.

Ancient Creatures

It has been researched that Turtles have existed for more 200 million years ago. Projections by Biologists estimate that as a result of habitat loss or destruction, exploitation, plastic pollution, use as food and long net fishing, turtles will no longer exist in 50 years’ time. The major impact on Turtles and marine life at the moment is plastic pollution in the ocean. And many marine species that are being washed up on most  global coastlines have, of recent, been linked to plastic pollution. Turtles like many other species, mistake floating plastic debris for feed, and ingest it.

What’s the difference between tortoises and turtles?

Most people are familiar with marine turtles, however fresh water turtles also occur.  This sometimes leads to a confusion on how to tell the difference between land-based turtles and tortoises.  The major differences between the two is the shell and feet. The Turtle has a streamlined almost flat like shell which aids it in swimming in strong currents. The Tortoise on the other hand has a dome-shaped like shell which is larger in proportion and heavier. Webbed feet or fin like legs are the leg features of a Turtle whilst Tortoises feature short stumpy legs with claws.  Tortoises are basically land dwellers  but they can and do swim.

What we can do:

• Never buy products or souvenirs made from tortoise or turtle products.
• If you come across a turtle on the shore, do not put it back into the sea. Refer to our website for guidelines on what to do.
• Reduce your use of plastics and single use items.
• Wild populations of tortoises do exist close to human populations. If you come across a tortoise crossing the road, pick it up without turning it over, and place it out of danger on the other side of the road in the direction it was going. Tortoises store water which is vital to carry them through the dry months and if you turn it over, it will urinate and lose fluids which can mean the difference between life and death in water scarce areas.

A simple way to make a difference is to stop using plastic straws. It is estimated that 500million straws are produced daily, used once and dumped. Many of these land up in the ocean. By the year 2050, it is anticipated that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish – what a legacy to leave for our children. The time to change is now.

Useful Links:

https://tenikwa.com/rescue-advice-turtles/

https://www.aquarium.co.za/species?category=5

https://thelastplasticstraw.org/resources/

https://www.slideshare.net/whalenation/migration-routes-of-atlantic-loggerhead-turtles?next_slideshow=1

https://www.slideshare.net/tellem/where-have-all-the-turtles-gone

https://www.facebook.com/boredpanda/videos/10156673530954252/

https://www.facebook.com/GaryJonesWildlifePhotography/photos/a.326634784043663.77760.321879187852556/2124264607613996/?type=3