From this Friday people will be waddling for penguins on Eastern Cape beaches over four days (12-15 October 2012).
The aim is to create awareness of the conservation of endangered African Penguins. Organised by Bayworld in Maitlands, Port Elizabeth, the Penguin Waddle for a cause follows the coast from the Eastern Cape Penguin Rehabilitation Centre in Cape St Francis (next to the lighthouse) to Bayworld in Maitlands, Port Elizabeth.
The African Penguin has recently been reclassified as an endangered species and could disappear within 50 years. Algoa Bay is home to almost half the world’s total population of the African Penguin.
“We will be ‘waddling’ from 12 – 15 October and the focus is not on fundraising but on conservation awareness,” says Trudi Malan from Penguin Eastern Cape.
There are two walks under the banner “Waddle you do?” The first (Team A) under Greg Hofmeyer will start at 9 am on Friday, 12 October, at Cape St Francis and walk to Maitlands in Port Elizabeth. The second (Team B) will also start at 9 am at Bayworld and will walk for four days from Maitlands to Seaview.
St Francis Kromme Trust has given its full support to the Penguin Waddle and has decided to have the first ‘watering hole’ at Granny’s Pool by the Heritage Centre. At this water point that waddlers are expected to reach by 11 am on Friday, there will be egg & bacon rolls and drinks for sale between 10 am – 1 pm.
All residents and visitors in St Francis are encouraged to join the Kromme Trust in showing support of the Bayworld Penguin Waddle from Cape St Francis, through St Francis Bay to the Kromme River and on to Maitland – by either walking, waddling or just cheering at meeting spots.
Meeting and starting points:
Team A wWalkers can walk just one day or all four days or they can walk just parts of the walk by being at certain points at certain times. For instance one can walk or waddle with Greg from the Lighthouse to the Port until 10 am. Or from the Port to Granny’s Pool, which will take about another hour, arriving at Granny’s Pool at about 11 am. And then, for the brave, they can continue for the four days to Bayworld.
Dress:
Waddlers must wear black and white or dress like a penguin. Banners, signs, flags are welcome as long as they are of penguins. See http://www.penguinpromises.com for some ideas.
Everyone is invited to show support at the one of the meeting points. The slogan is “we don’t want your money honey, we want your love”.
Everyone is also invited to make a ‘penguin promise’ as to what they will be doing to save the planet and the penguins.
SMS promises:
SMS promises with the keyword “penguin”, followed by a promise, to 34008. Promises can be anything from using less electricity to living plastic-free or picking up litter on our beaches.
Details of the walks:
Team A – leader Greg Hofmeyr Will be walking from Cape St Francis to Maitlands.Day 1 – Cape St Francis to Jeffries. Day 2 – Jeffries to Gamtoos. Day 3 – Gamtoos to Van Standens. Day 4 – Van Stadens to Maitlands/
Team B – leader Cherie Lawrence Will be walking from Bayworld in Maitlands. Day 1 – Bayworld – Willows. Day 2 – Willows to Seaview Road, Preston Bottlestore. Day 3 – Seaview Prestons to Seaview pool. Day 4 – Seaview to Maitlands.
For more info email info: robyn at bayworld dot co dot za or phone: 072 679 4643 (Team A) or 082 925 9748 (Team B)
The forecast for Friday is sunny skies, warm weather and only a little breeze!
(edited)
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