No home for Dolphin Coast reptiles
The Ndlondlo Reptile Park is homeless and is in desperate need of help
After servicing the Dolphin Coast for 12 years, the Ndlondlo Reptile Park is homeless and is in desperate need of help.
Ndlondlo Reptile Park’s Helen Bauermeister and Nevile Wolmarans said they decided to relocate the park from their previous premises at Frasers, near the Dolphin Coast SPCA, to Palm Lakes Estate in Tinley Manor when their investors pulled out without warning, leaving them unable to renovate the new premises.
“Unfortunately the location of our park in Frasers became increasingly dangerous and unattractive for visitors and schools to visit.
“The visits help keep us afloat and they were getting fewer by the day.
“People would have to drive through the gravel roads and through a township to get us and they would just turn around when they saw this.
“We moved out of there about three months ago with the intention of going to our new home at Numz Adventure Island, which is three kilometers off the N2 freeway at Tinley Manor. We do not have the money or the capacity to generate the funds for the construction.
“Our investors have left us stranded.”
The now homeless reptiles include snakes and crocodiles currently being kept by Wolmarans and Bauermeister’s friends and at their own homes.
The founder of Ndlondlo Reptile Park, Wolmarans said he was driven by a passion and love for animals as well as educating people about conservation.
“I started the park in 2006 after the closure of Crocodile Valley Nature Reserve where I was employed.
“I realised that if the niche left by Crocodile Valley wasn’t filled all the work and effort that I had put into promoting conservation and educating the public may have been in vain.
“We contribute to the scientific research and monitoring of the reptiles, as well as giving the public an opportunity to have an interactive and educational experience.
“We host school visits to educate the children on nature conservation and do reptile demonstrations.”
Bauermeister said they would need about R400 000 to build the new Ndlondlo Eco Conservation and Education Centre.
For more information or to donate, contact Nevile Wolmarans at 082 561 4969 or Helen Bauermeister at 079 453 3557, or email: ndlondloreptilepark56@mail.com
>> Expect to find the latest trends in Health, Wellness and Beauty in Ballito.
>> Meet the top players in the North Coast property industry. See our Property People feature.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.
Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join us on BBM at 59015786
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
