From: Seal Alert-SA
Date: December 21, 2006
Dear All Cape Fur Seal Supporters,
Happy Holidays, Happy Christmas and the very Best New Year, Ever
Thank you to all that donated funds for the South African/Hout Bay Harbour Cape fur seal centre. I have been working my butt off and I am exhausted, but at the same time so happy, because at least the seals needing help are happy.
Out with the old, in
with the new. We have almost 1/4 of the centre 90% complete and a
working rehab for the babies. Sadly as you know we lost one baby in
the beauty without cruelty boat parked outside my house whilst
centre was being revamped. Continual changes once all 10 moved into
centre, took their toll, and another two sadly passed
away.
Staying positive. My
objective was to somehow get a group through to full rehab in the
next 12 long months. 4 have dipped and go into convulsions
frequently, 4 others appear strong. Over the years I have
hand-raised many different species of babies, in fact, 4 baby
pigeons were found in this building and a seagull whose wing was
broken. But, for some reason baby Cape fur seals are another kettle
of fish, so difficult to succeed. I dont know if their deep bonds
with mom, or that they marine mammals, but boy is it difficult. But
I think I have found the key. Warmth is number one. Two is regular
feed (miss a four hourly and they die) and three is seawater. I
have long suspected that the acute starvation cases (skin and bone
appearance) is more related to water retention loss than food. It
is the drinking of seawater that gives seals that nice rounded
fat/blubbery look, its not all about fat from the food.
So I have rigged up an awning
to retain heat and are using three infra-red lights for warmth, and
boy do they love it. All 8 are showing improvements and everything
is looking much better. We are already 33 days into
rehab.
The centre has such an
amazing ambiance, a real research type/homely comfortable feeling
about. I just love it. I have already treated and released three
weanling pups >from the centre, and one pup released previously
sort me out in the new centre and is now resident. Mumkin has been
coming for his feed, and tonight he too decided to stay. Such an
amazing feeling have these wild animals come and go at will. A week
ago I was called to another rescue where I found a pup floating
upside down unconscious. It appeared he suffered somesort of head
trauma and was now completely disabled. He could not walk, crawl,
swim or even lift his body. He was a 'vegetable'. Slowly I have
nurtured him back to life, and he has opened his eyes after two
days and regained movement in one flipper, things look good
for a full recovery. Mumkin, the weanling and the coma seal all
sleep together.
Building costs with two pools
(instead of one initially) and now having to repair the walls and
paint has pushed the centre costs to over R60 000 (USD 9000). If
you all are in agreement, I have decided to name the one pool after
Phil and Trix Wollen's Winsome Constance Kindness Trust and the
other after Mrs Miller ( our two biggest donators). Eddy Jobse who
came to the rescue immediately will have the disentanglement
facility outside (when complete) named in his honour. To everyone
else, between the two pools on a large board, each contributor will
be proudly displayed. We still have the opportunity of funders
naming our Kitchen, two offices, a mezzizine level, the outside
seal haul-out fenced area.
To each and everyone of you, no
matter how small your contribution, together you have given the
seals (and me) the best gift I could ever have hoped for. We will
save thousands of seal lives and the species. This I guarantee. I
apologise for not yet answering emails, but my schedule is
impossible, work, feed, work and more feed. Please excuse me over
the next few critical weeks. Funding is almost dried up, so if you
can spare, please.
Two local volunteers, Tara and Nikki, have been
invaluable. Both taking time off work and physically rescuing seals
and transporting them back to the centre. They together
rescued have saved many seal lives. Besides this their
fiancés/husband's jumped in with building/roofing and getting
sponsors.
I am aiming to have the centre self-supporting
by conducting exclusive guided tours (with access only onto the
mezzanine level) to look down on the rehab. Big TV screens will
show rescues in the wild etc.
Please know this. I simply cannot thank you all
enough for the support over the years. The best way I can show my
appreciation, is to save, save, save the seals. Slowly we will
develop this centre into the best ever. Our boats, vehicles, rescue
craft, jetski's and rafts will all sport corporate colours and
logo. Seal Alert-SA will be seen and heard, and with this give the
seals the awareness they deserve.
Have the best ever holidays, Christmas and New
Year. I hope to show you the whole of the centre before year
end.
You all have made me very happy, and this
life-giving seal gift - is the best gift of all.
Have a great one.
For the Seals
Francois Hugo Seal Alert-SA
PS - If anyone would like special mention or an area named in
honour, just shout.
From:
Earle Bingley
CVFA
Date:
December , 2006
Cape
Fur Seals - Merry Christmas
Dear Friends:
As I'm sure all of you know,
Francois has recently required a building to house the rescued Cape
Fur Seals.
Our problem now, is finding the funds to buy equipment and to
finish the re-furbishing of the building.
I, and Francois,
sincerely hope that you will remember the wee babies this Christmas
season.
Donations can be
made directly to Francois' bank account for a fee, or you can make
your donations on any of the Seal Alert pages using Pay Pal at no
charge to you.
On behalf of
Francois and all the gang at Seal Alert in Africa, please accept
our fondest best wishes.
Regards to all,
Earle
www.canadianvoiceforanimals.org/
For Pay Pal information https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr
FRANCOIS' BANKING INFORMATION
To
mail a donation directly to Seal Alert-SA:
Seal Alert-SA
Box 221
Postnet
Houtbay
7872
South Africa
HEREWITH IS FURTHER DETAILS FOR BANK TRANSFERS:
ZAR is South AfricanRand
More
information to be able to send the money via Internet:
SEAL ALERT-SA ACC : 911 2201 321
BRANCH CODE : 632 005
SWIFT CODE : ABSAZAJJ
BANK : ABSA
SA NAT.CLEARING CODE
BIC: (SWIFT-CODE) ABSAZAJJ
Bank name : ABSA
Address : DELPHI ARCH OFFICE PARK, RAATS DRIVE, TABLE VIEW
City/code : TABLE VIEW, 7439
Country : South Africa
For
the Seals
Francois
Hugo - Seal Alert-SA
