Seahorse aquarium planned for Knysna
Sanparks honorary rangers are on a drive to collect funds for the upgrade of the current seahorse tank into a modern and technologically advanced saltwater aquarium.
The little seahorses are a major attraction for tourists and school groups eager to see and learn about the species unique to the Knysna Lagoon, Swartvlei and Keurbooms river. The current tank, situated at the Sanparks offices on Thesen Island, is more than a decade old and starting to show signs of wear and tear.
Honorary ranger Delle
Henry says a new and larger tank, better described as an aquarium, will increase capacity and incorporate new technology in terms of the filtration systems required to “replicate the conditions of the Knysna Estuary”.
“The tank has also reached full capacity as there are 19 seahorses currently being held in the tank. An aquarium would increase visibility of these tiny creatures to members of the public, and more importantly, an upgrade of the filtration systems will allow us to better replicate conditions conducive to their survival,” says Henry, who in the same breath praises Jenè Conradie of Sanparks for passionately caring for the seahorses.
Conradie, an environmental monitor, feeds the seahorses, cleans the tank, checks and services the filtration system and observes their behaviour so that any sicknesses that affect the seahorses can be detected early enough to treat it with medicine.
Educational benefit
“The purpose of the tank is to show seahorses to school groups and tourists. Seahorses are endemic to this area and vulnerable in the lagoon. The tank is a means of raising this awareness, ” says Conradie.
Should the seahorses in the tank increase in numbers, Sanparks has an arrangement that a surplus of these tiny creatures will go to uShaka Marine World in Durban or Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, provided all permits are in place.
“Bearing in mind that life expectancy of a seahorse is limited to about three years and that the seahorses in the tank cannot be reintroduced to the wild, we prefer to keep the seahorses in Knysna, and a larger tank would allow us to do so,” says Henry.
About a year ago, she says, following consultations with Conradie, they came to the conclusion that a new tank would serve multiple needs and so the Sanparks honorary rangers started a drive to collect funds. “The saltwater aquarium would cost us in the region of R80 000. We have already raised R55 000, and would like the public and community of Knysna to assist in reaching our target,” says Henry. “We hope to do this by December, or at the very latest before Easter next year.”
Donations of either the filtration system, base, stand or parts for the aquarium will also be accepted.
Would you like to help?
Contributions can be made to: Sanparks Honorary Rangers Die Heuwel; Nedbank account no. 1585392448; branch code 198765; ref: 5740_GLaccount_Kny
Enquiries: email plumsteaddelle@hotmail. com or WhatsApp Delle on 083 292 2928