Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation

19/08/2026

A second chance for Sage 💙

Ghost gear does not always have to claim lives. Early reporting can mean the difference between life and death.

In December 2025, a rare olive ridley turtle washed ashore in the De Hoop Marine Protected Area, entangled in a 30 kg ghost net. After being disentangled and returned to the ocean, she restranded soon afterwards, giving rescuers a second chance to save her. 🐢

Thanks to the Turtle Rescue Network, she was transported to our Turtle Conservation Centre, where vets discovered severe wounds and a tear in her lung lining.

After weeks of treatment and dedicated care, she made a remarkable recovery. 💚

Now known as Sage, she is well on her way to returning to the wild.

One sighting. One report. A second chance. 🌊

Read more about ghost gear here: https://bit.ly/3THDelf

Karoline Hanks will take on the equivalent of three PUFfeR trail races over two days, covering an incredible 192km from Cape Point Nature Reserve to Green Point Rugby Club, to raise R80 000 for Sage's ongoing care.

Donate here: https://bit.ly/4wysiEN

15/08/2026

In July, our Marine Wildlife Management Team successfully removed seven entanglements from seals, giving these incredible animals a second chance. 💙

In this video, Martine Viljoen, our Marine Wildlife Manager, and Abdullah Abrahams, one of our Wildlife Monitors, explain some of the different types of entanglements our team responds to and why this work is so important.

Fishing line is one of the most serious and challenging entanglements we encounter, especially braided fishing line. When seals become entangled in the open ocean, they can suffer severe injuries, and without intervention, these entanglements can be fatal.

Every piece of litter removed from our oceans is another opportunity for marine life to survive and thrive. Together, we can make a difference. 🌍

14/08/2026

Our Marine Wildlife Management Team successfully removed seven entanglements last month. 💙

Join Martine Viljoen, our Marine Wildlife Manager, and Abdullah Abrahams, one of our Wildlife Monitors, as they take you behind the scenes to explain the different types of disentanglements our team responds to.

Plastic debris and discarded fishing gear, including gill nets, are a major source of marine pollution. Gill nets are especially dangerous, trapping not only their intended catch but also turtles, seabirds, seals, dolphins, and other marine animals in devastating bycatch incidents.

Stay tuned for the final instalment of our July disentanglement series, where we continue to highlight the impact pollution has on our oceans.

Every piece of litter removed is another chance for marine life to survive and thrive. 🌍

13/08/2026

July kept our marine wildlife team busy, with seven entanglements successfully removed from seals. 💙

In this update, Martine Viljoen, our Marine Wildlife Manager, and Abdullah Abrahams, one of our Wildlife Monitors, take you behind the scenes of these rescue efforts.

Among the hazards removed were two fishing lures. Abdullah explains how the team safely removes them and why these seemingly small items can have a devastating impact on seals' ability to feed and move naturally. 🦭

This is just the beginning. Stay tuned as we share more of July's disentanglement stories and highlight the real impact pollution has on our oceans.

Every piece of litter removed is another chance for marine life to thrive. 🌍

09/08/2026

This Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible courage, compassion and determination of Karoline Hanks as she takes on an extraordinary challenge for our very special turtle, Sage. 💙

Sage, a rare olive ridley turtle in our care at our Turtle Conservation Centre, was rescued last December after becoming trapped in a 30kg ghost fishing net at De Hoop Nature Reserve. Her journey to recovery continues, and Karoline is stepping up to help give Sage the best chance at rehabilitation and release. ✨

Karoline will take on the equivalent of three PUFfeR trail races over two days, covering an incredible 192km from Cape Point Nature Reserve to Green Point Rugby Club, to raise R80 000 for Sage’s ongoing care.

We are inspired by Karoline’s strength, generosity and commitment to ocean conservation. Join us in supporting her challenge and helping Sage on her road to recovery. 🐢

Donations can be made through Karoline’s BackaBuddy campaign ahead of the challenge on Friday, 21 August and Saturday, 22 August 2026. https://bit.ly/4wysiEN

07/08/2026

Toad crossing season is here! 💚🚸

Our endangered Western leopard toads are once again making their annual journey to breeding wetlands, and many need to cross busy roads at night to get there.

The Western leopard toad is found only in the Western Cape, making it a truly special part of our natural heritage. These remarkable amphibians also play an important role in our ecosystems by helping to keep insect populations, including mosquitoes, under control. 🦟

If you're driving through Kirstenhof, Lakeside, Muizenberg, Tokai, Constantia, Zeekoevlei, Rondevlei, Grassy Park, or Noordhoek, please slow down, stay alert, and watch for toads crossing the road.

If you spot a toad and it is safe to stop:
🐸 Pull over in a safe location.
🐸 Gently move the toad across the road in the direction it is already heading.
🐸 Never take it somewhere else or turn it around.

Want to make an even bigger difference? Volunteers are needed to help patrol roads at night and safely assist toads during their migration. If you'd like to get involved or have any questions, get in touch with the Western leopard toad coordinators.

Every toad safely crossing the road is a small win for this endangered species. Thank you for helping protect one of the Western Cape's most unique wildlife treasures. 💚

📷 2, 4, 6 & 7 (Dagny Warmerdam)
📷 3 (Helen Lockhart) 5 (Sonia Stock) 8 (Kim K)

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4fHHwS9

06/08/2026

Last Saturday, we celebrated the 6th annual MPA Day with a Rocky Shore Explore at Dalebrook Tidal Pool in the Table Mountain Marine Protected Area! 🪸🐙

More than 200 ocean enthusiasts joined our Ocean Campus educators to discover the incredible marine life living right on Cape Town's doorstep. From delicate feather-duster worms to colourful sandy anemones, every rockpool offered a reminder of why Marine Protected Areas are so important. 🩵

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating South Africa's remarkable MPAs and the role they play in protecting our ocean for future generations. 🌊

Read more about the day here: https://bit.ly/4byMBK2

On 1 August 2026, the Two Oceans Aquarium community celebrated the 6th annual Marine Protected Areas Day with a Rocky Shore Explore at Dalebrook Tidal…

04/08/2026

We’re proud to share that Wild Waterfront has been officially selected for the 2026 Mpumalanga International Film Festival (Miffsouthafrica). 🎬

Produced by the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation's Ocean Campus Studios in association with Film Cape Town , the documentary follows the people working behind the scenes to protect wildlife and respond to animals in distress across Cape Town’s busy waterfront.

The film will screen as part of MIFF’s WildMarket Africa programme, alongside productions from South Africa and around the world exploring wildlife, biodiversity and conservation.

Saturday 8 August 2026, 14h10
Skukuza, Kruger National Park

Congratulations to producer, director and editor Marguerite Venter, the film’s cast and crew, and everyone whose work made this recognition possible.

View the festival programme and registration information here: https://www.miff.co.za/wildmarket-africa/

28/07/2026

Marine Protected Areas help sea turtles thrive. 🐢

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) provide safe feeding, breeding, and nesting habitats where turtles can grow with less human impact. By protecting these underwater ecosystems, MPAs give endangered species a better chance of survival.

The iSimangaliso MPA in northern KwaZulu-Natal is a great example. Since 1979, it has protected loggerhead and leatherback turtles during nesting season, helping nesting females and hatchlings stay safe.

Healthy oceans need protected spaces. Every MPA makes a difference. 💙

Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/4b3WSh2

Our Marine Protected Areas (MPA) are extraordinarily diverse and home to myriad species that play a core role in South Africa’s ecosystems. The Two Oceans…

28/07/2026

Celebrating Ayanda Cimoni, one of our dedicated Marine Wildlife Monitors 🦭

Ayanda's journey is a true example of dedication and perseverance.

After losing both his parents at a young age, Ayanda was raised by his older brother. He completed matric in 2015 and joined the V&A Waterfront in 2017. Although he knew very little about marine wildlife, his eagerness to learn quickly became clear. ⭐

His potential to become a Marine Wildlife Monitor was identified, there was one obstacle. Ayanda couldn't swim. Through swimming lessons and hard work, he became a confident swimmer by early 2019. He went on to earn his Open Water diving certification in 2023, and today, in 2026, he is a qualified commercial diver and an invaluable member of our Marine Wildlife Management Team.

Ayanda's story shows what is possible with determination, resilience, and a willingness to keep learning.

Congratulations, Ayanda! We are incredibly proud of everything you have achieved! 💙