MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Annually the management of the Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T.) rewards a volunteer that has shown exceptional commitment throughout the year during marine mammal strandings or just by showing and sharing their love for the ocean and all its inhabitants.
The volunteer for 2017 has been part of the organisation since its inception and has always shown commitment and passion towards humankind and towards animals, the greatest respect and care.
Working at the Shark Lab at the Point, Renchi Louw is a well-known face to the public. She has been chosen unanimously as the S.M.A.R.T. Volunteer of 2017.
If there is a bird or penguin in distress, she will sit with it on her lap until the bird is fetched to be taken to either Saprec (Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Centre) or veterinarian, Dr Frans de Graaff.
Last year a Cape fur seal female was being treated and watched over by Renchi at the Lab.
Her kind heart and interest in marine life in general, make her the perfect ambassador for S.M.A.R.T. Renchi received her award two weeks ago at a small function, where Dr Greg Hofmeyer from Bayworld in Port Elizabeth gave an insightful talk about his trips to Bouvet Island, where elephant seals are studied.
S.M.A.R.T. volunteers celebrated Renchi Louw's receiving the 2017 Volunteer of the Year Award (she is holding the framed certificate) with Dr Greg Hofmeyer (front) from Bayworld in Port Elizabeth.
S.M.A.R.T. is a volunteer-based non-profit organisation that tends to all stranded marine animals, such as seals, turtles, whales and dolphins and also helps out at Saprec on a regular basis.
If anybody would like to join the organisation or report a stranded animal, call 072 227 4715.
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