Category: North Coast

Expert addresses challenges facing wildlife at monthly Crocworld Conservation Centre talk

Increasing human encroachment into natural areas and the accompanying environmental impact is threatening the lives of our ever-diminishing wildlife population. Director of the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), Paul Hoyte, will be talking about ‘The Challenges Facing Our Wildlife’ as part of Crocworld Conservation Centre’s monthly lecture series, taking place at 9am on Saturday, 8 October.

Having joined the CROW team as Marketing and Communications’ Officer in 2013, Hoyte immediately took to his role of raising the public image and profile of the organisation and its work in local wildlife rehabilitation.

His dedication to the Yellowwood Park-based centre was evident and – with the 36-year-old organisation’s strong belief in succession from within – Hoyte was appointed as Director of CROW in July this year, taking over from valuable predecessor, Claire Hodgkinson.

“As Director, my role involves fundraising, marketing, strategic partnership development and, of course, heading up the organisation’s dedicated team of staff and volunteers,” explained Hoyte. “I have experience in operations’ management from my previous work experience and am currently completing a degree in Communication Science through Unisa.”

CROW was established as one of South Africa’s first wildlife rehabilitation centres dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of all indigenous wildlife found in KwaZulu-Natal. It is run by a small, yet experienced team of staff and volunteers who assist more than 3 000 orphaned, injured and displaced animals every year. From mongoose, genets and monkeys to birds, reptiles and antelope, CROW gives these distressed animals a second chance at a free, safe and sustainable life. As with all registered, non-profit organisations, CROW relies solely on the support and goodwill of the public locally and internationally to ensure the doors remain open.

“In my years at CROW I have learned so much about the impact we as a society have on our wildlife every single day, from a simple piece of litter to not recycling or conserving water,” explained Hoyte. “Collectively, people have more influence over their surrounds than they realise, from micro to macro. Through this talk, I want people to see the dangers we create while providing them with practical ways to slightly adjust their daily habits so that they can reside in harmony with all living creatures. It’s our way of life that create the challenges faced by wildlife each day and the main reason thousands of animals get admitted to CROW each year.”

The hour-long talk is sure to provide the audience with some astounding insights into our natural world and what we can do to make a difference. Guests are encouraged to arrive for registration and welcoming at 8.30am, with the talk set to begin at 9 am, after which there will be time for questions before complimentary tea and coffee are served. Tickets will include entry into the park and cost R75 per adult and R35 for pensioners and scholars.

Guests are also invited to stay after the talk to discover the rest of the park. Birders will relish the opportunity to explore the park’s aviaries, which house endemics like the Blue Crane as well as local favourites like the Knysna Turaco. The park is also home to an impressive collection of snakes, crocodiles and alligators, while more than 200 wild bird species have been spotted on its grounds. Refreshments will be available for purchase at sea-view restaurant Le Rendez-Vous, while those with an interest in gardening should pay a visit to onsite Izinyoni Indigenous Nursery.

To ensure availability, tickets for the talk must be reserved in advance. To book your place, contact Nolean Allun, Crocworld Conservation Centre on 039 976 1103 or 083 654 9651 or email crocworld. Account Details: Crocworld (Crookes Brothers Limited) Banking Details: FNB, Branch: Scottburgh, Branch Code: 220227, Account Number: 53640119111. Please fax the proof of payment to 039 978 3279.
For more information about Crocworld Conservation Centre, visit www.crocworld.co.za, @CrocworldCC on Twitter, or Crocworld Conservation Centre on Facebook. To find out more about Izinyoni Indigenous Nursery, which is located on the grounds of the centre and open to the public from Monday to Saturday between 8am and 1pm, visit www.izinyoni-nursery.co.za.