A new study has begun that will examine the health of humpback dolphins to better assess the threats this species faces and prescribe an effective conservation plan.
Researchers from along South Africa’s east and south coasts gathered together at the Nelson Mandela University’s Ocean Sciences Campus in August 2018. They met to discuss how to conduct a country-wide assessment of skin diseases and other injuries observed in these dolphins.
Guided by Ocean Health Researcher, Dr Stephanie Plön, they developed a strategy to assess the diseases, ailments and injuries visible on the skin of the dolphins, and how these vary through time and space. One particularly intriguing skin disease, tattoo skin disease, presents as an intricate stippled pattern in an oval shape (see photographs).
Humpback dolphins are endangered because they only occur in a narrow band of very shallow coastal waters, close to shore, and are exposed to the negative impacts of human activities occurring both on land and the marine environment. Worrying threats include overfishing which leads to a reduction in dolphin prey, pollution from the land such as pesticides, noisy boat traffic, and shark nets. There may be as few as 500 adults left and they are slow to reproduce.
Few people have even heard of humpback dolphins, they are quite rare and shyer than their better-known cousins, the bottlenose dolphins.
Local researchers sharing concern for this species decided to join forces and formed the SouSA Consortium (the humpback dolphin’s scientific name is Sousa plumbea) in 2016. “We needed to draw the local research groups together to create a systematic, national research agenda so that we could answer questions at a more appropriate scale for conservation”, said Dr Simon Elwen from the Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria and SeaSearch Research and Conservation. Sixteen researchers from 12 institutions share their data and work together to improve the Dolphins’ situation.
This is a unique initiative, admired by international researcher Dr. Gill Braulik from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Cetacean Specialist Group who says “This collaborative effort is truly inspiring and our South African colleagues are leading the way.”
The dolphin researchers have been out on boats collecting photographs of humpback dolphins at 13 sites within the dolphins’ range from KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape. These photographs have already been used to determine how far and how frequently dolphins move along our coast and now the researchers have new plans.
“We are going to scrutinise the photographs for signs of skin disease as indicators of the health of the animals as well as signs of injury, either from human or natural causes,” says Nelson Mandela University’s Dr. Stephanie Plön (AEON- Earth Stewardship Science Research Institute). World leader on dolphin skin diseases, Dr. Marie-Francoise van Bressem from the Peruvian Centre for Cetacean Research, will contribute her veterinary expertise. Eyes will be peeled for gruesome sounding diseases such as Lobomycosis (caused by a fungus) and the less innocuous sounding Tattoo Skin Disease (caused by a poxvirus), and for external parasites. Other things they will be on the lookout for include evidence of shark bites, propeller injuries and amputated fins.
Photograph: Dolphin tattoos. Endangered humpback dolphins have tattoos that are caused by a poxvirus.
Photo Credit: Brett Atkins.
News supplied by Pat Fletcher, Howick resident and a member of the Humpback Dolphin research group based in Richards Bay.
Our Funda Nenja social worker, Thandeka, does regular home visits and offers counselling for anyone who requires it. 
It's promo time! Buy any one of our famously delicious sauces & receive a 300g tub of plain cooked macaroni tubes on the house.
This week marked another highly successful edition of WESSA uMngeni Valley’s Bush Day Care holiday programme. Situated in Howick, uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve offers guests a chance to visit both the scenic views on the 900 Hectare reserve as well as the thriving education centre which creates curriculum based education programmes for school groups of all ages, university students and non-school groups alike.
A National Lilizela Tourism Award for the best 3-star, self-catering accommodation - exclusive use, in South Africa, is a testament to the service excellence, attention to detail and country hospitality you can expect from the team at Beverley Country Cottages
The Howick Fire Department came to visit Polliwiggle Pre School.
Bush Day care at Wessa uMngeni Valley Education Centre.
Wow! 
Another beautiful collection of 5 gardens that will be open this weekend 3,4 November in Dargle as part of the Open Midlands Gardens.
On Wednesday afternoon, the 10th of October, I found myself sitting in a garden amongst beautiful trees and flowers, indulging in a scrumptious slice of cheesecake accompanied by a cup of coffee made by the hands of the most joyful women I have perhaps ever come across. Amber Avenue Guesthouse hosted their first tea garden for the community on this lovely sunny afternoon, all for just a penny of R25. The atmosphere was one of pure joy and tranquility, secluded from the disturbance of the outside world. Here it was only us and nature, all one in the same. Hushed conversations lingered in the air as to not break the sacred vow of silence and peace. I was welcomed by the friendliest staff and seated at a small coffee table in a lovely shaded spot. Away from their responsibilities and concerns, people gathered around to enjoy an escape; an hour or two dedicated to sit amongst the trees and the flowers, and to enjoy good company from their fellow neighbor. I questioned myself on whether I was ever going to leave, for I felt at home. It was a successful and loving afternoon, one that was definitely well spent. I can only hope that we’d be so lucky to be welcomed back into Amber Avenue Guesthouse’s garden of tranquility and internal abundance; a sacred place where our Community can get together and indulge in sweet treats, sweet company, and an even sweeter garden.
Self-defence Course with Don Gold
It’s the last ever Pecanwood Oktoberfest Lifestyle Festival, and we want to celebrate it with you! We are going out with a bang this year, not only are we bringing you all the usual fun and festivities that the past Pecanwood Oktoberfests have brought, but we are also introducing the world’s longest Slip & Slide ride as we’ll attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records together, with a 650 metre Slip & Slide. 
“FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND, WE HAVE CCTV AND A SECURITY GUARD”. To avoid the taxi rank, please use Bell Street. Drive past the “Former Shoprite Building”, take the first left, and first left again and you will find us on the complex on the left.
Imagine being able to make a difference to the life of a child with every step you take? That is exactly what Pietermaritzburg-based NPC, the Southern Lodestar Foundation, is hoping to achieve with their ‘One Run. One Life’ initiative.
Grade 9 Epworth School music pupil, Alida Esterhuizen, will be giving a free 40-minute piano recital at St Luke’s Anglican Church in Howick on Wednesday 19 June at midday. She will perform works by J.S. Bach, Beethoven, Grieg, Ginestera and Hans Roosenschoen.
Howick Pre-Primary School has reached the wonderful milestone of 40 years of service to our community. In order to celebrate this fabulous achievement we are inviting our local community to join us for an amazing event.