Happy ending for Benji the albatross
The NSRI Rocky Bay team travelled eight nautical miles to release the bird.
With good feel stories far and few nowadays, a happy ending for Benji the juvenile albatross, tugs at the heart strings.
About two weeks ago, a client of Scottburgh Veterinary Clinic brought in a juvenile albatross that was found sitting on the sand at Park Rynie
Beach.
Dr Johnathan Clark assessed the bird and found no physical injuries.
On consultation with Dr Francois Lampen from uShaka Marine World, it was decided it would be a good idea to keep the bird and let it recover from its exhaustion.
Sister Rence Jacobs and Clark took such good care of the albatross that they were able to release it.
The crew from National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Station 39 Rocky Bay had the privilege of successfully and safely releasing the giant petrel bird back into his natural environment last Sunday.
The NSRI crew on their 7.3m rescue vessel named, Megan ii, travelled eight nautical miles off Rocky Bay to release the bird.
On board was the team’s Class 3 Coxswain and Statcom, Kevin Fourie, Class 4 Coxswain Michael Nell, crew member Nico Booyens who is also a marine biologist, and trainee crew members Simphiwe Makhonza and Nalan Cutten.
“A huge thank you to NSRI from Rocky Bay for helping with the release and taking the bird out to sea. It is amazing to see how the community came together to help,” said Jacobs.
She also thanked thanked Demetros Stamatis for donating sardines for the bird to eat and Rocky Bay Resorts who also played a role in helping release the bird.
Travel safely, Benji.
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