GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Wilderness Ratepayers and Residents Association (WRRA) will be hosting an insightful evening looking at the astonishing world of the whales, dolphins and seals found along the Garden Route.
Dr Gwenith Penry will introduce the seven most common species that occur here (and a few unexpected visitors), provide some tips on identifying them correctly, give an update on their conservation status, and introduce ways you can contribute to research.
The talk will be held on Wednesday 30 August at 18:30 for 19:00 at the Wilderness Hotel.
Penry is a marine mammal biologist based in Plettenberg Bay and has focused her research on the South African Bryde's whale, our only resident, large whale species.
Her work is the first of its kind to investigate the population size, distribution and occurrence, and genetics of this poorly studied species.
The audience will learn something about the wide range of research techniques used to study different aspects of the biology and ecology of marine mammals and what to do if you come across a stranded animal.
Penry is currently registered at the Nelson Mandela University's Coastal and Marine Research Institute.
She also coordinates the local Plett Stranding Network, and is actively involved in long-term monitoring of marine mammals and other marine life along the south coast of South Africa.
Penry's engaging presentation will help the audience understand what a cetacean is, why whales and dolphins are so appealing to us, and just where it is they are migrating to and from.
Join the WRRA for a most enlightening talk. Entry is R10 for WRRA members and R20 for non-members. There will be a cash bar for pre-talk socialising.
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