Save the Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary

The eThekwini Municipality Department of Natural Resources is allowing the Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary to be used as a venue for various functions such as wedding receptions and large parties. Some of these parties cater for hundreds of guests with marquees’ being erected in the bird sanctuary.

The immediate concern is that not only are these parties extremely loud and boisterous for the birds and other wildlife, but more importantly the litter left over effects the whole sanctuary with devastating effects long after the parties are over. There appear to be no regulations stipulated for these functions which is extremely concerning. Guests are allowed to roam freely throughout the park, being as destructive as they want whereby causing chaos and litter with no regard to the consequences of their ignorant behaviour.

The garbage that is blatantly thrown about becomes a death sentence for the animals that either live in the Sanctuary or are seeking refuge there especially during the moulting season of some birds. The volume levels and actions of many of these rowdy drunk guests have also left many of the birds extremely traumatised and fearful of people. Visitors wanting to get close to the birds like they were able to in the past are now having to settle with feeding them from a distance. This is quite tragic as children need to learn how to positively interact with wildlife and the bird park was always a place to be able teach them these important and valuable lessons. This type of behaviour has a huge negative impact on the wildlife and has become increasingly noticeable daily and of recent has resulted in the horrific and tragic death of one of the birds.

Recently a young Spur-Winged Goose got his lower beak lodged into the opening of a beer can he found lying on the ground in the Sanctuary. Unable to eat or drink, this poor bird suffered for days without food or water while the beer can slowly cut deeper and deeper into his beak as he desperately tried to free himself of it. None of the staff at the Bird Sanctuary bothered to assist the bird or contact anyone to help it. A visitor to the park managed to catch him and rush him to C.R.O.W but sadly the bird unfortunately died as a result of his injuries due to blood loss, infection and starvation. A dismal end for him. We can only imagine what this poor bird had to endure. This is proof that the Council is incapable of maintaining the Sanctuary or ensuring the safety of the birds who are homed there.