IT was a triumphant moment for the honorary officers and staff of the Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve as they officially reopened their education centre recently.

In February last year, the team was left devastated after vandals burned the ‘mini museum’ to the ground.

Hundreds of priceless and historical artefacts were lost during the blaze, including newspaper clippings dating back to the 1960s, rare creature specimens and the jawbone of a sperm whale, which washed up near Beachwood a few years ago. Only two brass crayfish were salvaged from the ruins.

Basil Pather, conservation manager at the reserve, likened the revamping of the centre to a phoenix rising from the ashes as he addressed the project’s dozens of the donors and sponsors.

“It was a dream that slowly manifested itself. We are passionate and heavily invested in the education of our future leaders and creating a conservation ethic among the nation’s youth. Approximately 500 pupils visit the reserve every month. If we change the outset of one or two of those pupils, all our hard work would be worth it,” he said.

The sponsors have enabled the former wooden structure to be upgraded to a concrete structure to prevent arson antics.

New specimens (including whale bones, butterflies, turtle shells and shark teeth), posters, banners and an air conditioner have also been donated towards the centre.

Pather said they were grateful to all who contributed towards the centre, as the revamp would not have been possible without their selfless dedication.

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