Two Oceans Aquarium

12/09/2026

Saving the Western Leopard Toad in Cape Town’s Wetlands 🐸

The Western Leopard Toad is a remarkable amphibian that lives only in South Africa’s Western Cape, and its future is closely tied to the health of the wetlands and landscapes it calls home.

Across Cape Town, passionate people and organisations are working tirelessly to give these toads a fighting chance. From building underpasses and removing invasive vegetation, to driving kilometres each night to rescue toads from busy roads and helping them reach their breeding grounds safely, an incredible conservation effort is underway.

But is it enough?

With Zeekoevlei experiencing some of its lowest breeding activity in recent years, we need to ask difficult questions about the future of our wetlands and the way our actions are shaping the natural environment around us.

What will it take to ensure Western Leopard Toads continue to call Cape Town home? 🌿

Can we change the way we manage our wetlands, roads and urban spaces so that people and wildlife can thrive together?

We explore the challenges facing the Western Leopard Toad, the incredible conservation work happening across Cape Town, and why protecting this species also means protecting the ecosystems it depends on.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this project, whether through footage, filming, research, education, expertise, or simply giving their time to help these extraordinary animals. 💙

Watch the full video here: https://bit.ly/4j1x0a6

12/09/2026

Saving the Western Leopard Toad in Cape Town’s Wetlands 🐸

The Western Leopard Toad is a unique species found only in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. Today, these remarkable amphibians face growing threats, and their future depends on the health of the wetlands and landscapes they call home.

Across Cape Town, people and organisations are working tirelessly to give Western Leopard Toads a fighting chance. From building toad tunnels and removing invasive vegetation, to driving kilometres each night to rescue toads from busy roads and safely moving them towards their breeding grounds, countless people are making a difference. 🌿

But is it enough?

With Zeekoevlei experiencing some of its lowest breeding activity in recent years, we need to ask difficult questions about the future of these wetlands and the impact our actions have on the natural environment.

What will it take to ensure that Western Leopard Toads continue to call Cape Town home? Can we change the way we manage our wetlands, roads and urban spaces to create a future where people and wildlife can thrive together? 💙

We explore the challenges facing the Western Leopard Toad, the incredible conservation work taking place across Cape Town, and why protecting this species means protecting the ecosystems it depends on.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this project, whether through footage, filming, research, education, expertise or simply giving their time to help these extraordinary animals. 💚

Watch the full video here: https://bit.ly/4j1x0a6

The Western Leopard Toad is a unique species found only in South Af...

09/09/2026

Join us at Sunrise Beach for our International Coastal Cleanup Day Trash Bash and be part of a community effort to make a lasting difference for our coastline. 🌊

Every piece of litter removed from the beach helps protect marine life, reduce pollution, and create a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone. Whether your coming with friends, family, colleagues, or on your own, your contribution matters.♻️

Remember to bring a bucket, a sun hat, plenty of drinking water, and your enthusiasm for a morning of meaningful action in the great outdoors. ☀️

📍Sunrise beach
🗓️ 19 September
⏰ 09h00-11h00

08/09/2026

Dry dock seal rescue finale: Part 3 🦭

After patiently waiting for the remaining seals to make their way out of the tunnels, our Marine Wildlife team finally got the call on day six. One of the seals was happily playing in the water, allowing the team to safely secure it in a specialised net before releasing it back into the harbour. 💙

With the final two seals being much larger, we waited for the dry dock to be refilled so they could swim out safely. But one of them had other plans! On day sixteen, one of the larger seals simply made its way up the stairs and released itself back into the harbour. 🦭🌊

The final seal followed the plan on day seventeen, enjoying a swim as the dry dock slowly filled. Once the water reached the top of the steps, it climbed out, made its way to the release area, and returned to the harbour. ❤️

A huge thank you to Johann and his team at Sturrock Dry Dock, as well as Southey Contracting Marine Division, for all your help and support throughout these releases.

What an incredible journey it has been! 🦭💙

07/09/2026

Can’t make it to Cape Town? We’ve got you covered! 🌍

Registration for online attendance at the IZE 2026 Conference is now OPEN! 🎉

Whether you’re an IZE member or not, you can join the global conservation education community from wherever you are in the world. 🌿🦁

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired by conservation educators from around the globe, without leaving home!

📅 12 to 16 October 2026
📍 Online, wherever you are

🔗 Register now for IZE 2026: https://bit.ly/48PtCtd

🤔 Want to learn more? Discover everything you need to know about the IZE Conference here: https://bit.ly/4qVadig

07/09/2026

A fragrant favourite for our penguins! 💜🌿

A big thank you for the lavender! Our African and rockhopper penguins have been making the most of their fragrant enrichment over the past few weeks. 🪹

During breeding season, lavender can become a special addition to their nest-building activities, with our penguins collecting and arranging sprigs as they prepare their nests. Its soft texture and natural aroma make it an interesting enrichment material, while its antibacterial and antifungal properties may also help create a cleaner nesting environment.

And judging by their enthusiasm, it seems our penguins have officially declared lavender a favourite! 💜🐧

Did you know these little nest-builders had such a soft spot for lavender?

06/09/2026

Meet big mamma Pearl, a loggerhead turtle undergoing rehabilitation at our Turtle Conservation Centre 🐢❤️‍🩹

Pearl was rescued in March 2026, absolutely covered in leeches, weak, dehydrated, and suffering from a severe wound under her chin. Thanks to the efforts of Lower Breede River Conservancy Trust staff Jason, Tertia, Luton, and Gershwin, she arrived safely at the Turtle Conservation Centre, where our team has been providing the best care possible for this brave loggerhead. 🩺

At the moment, a feeding tube provides Pearl with her daily nutrition while she fights the bone infection, although she tries very hard to open her mouth when the team offers her small pieces of protein. Her future remains guarded, but our team holds out hope that she will eventually beat her infections. 🦠

A gentle and inquisitive presence at the Turtle Conservation Centre, big mamma Pearl has a long and difficult road ahead of her, but her potential recovery holds so much promise – both for Pearl and for the future of her species. 💙

Read Pearl’s full story: https://www.aquarium.co.za/foundation/news/meet-big-mamma-pearl-a-loggerhead-turtle-fighting-for-life-at-the-turtle-conservation-centre

05/09/2026

Dry dock seal rescue: Part 2 🦭

Johan Coetzee, the Dock Master, came up with an option to help remove the seals by releasing water into the tunnels to encourage them out. When this wasn’t successful, the team decided to return the following day because the seals were safe with access to fish.

On Day Two, the team checked the tunnels and decided to wait for a call that the seals had exited, as some had been seen coming out in the evenings. 🌙

On Day Three, the call came. A seal had exited the tunnel, and the team quickly made their way to the dry dock, where they worked together to secure the seal in a specialised net. The dry dock team then assisted with carrying the seal up the stairs.

Once at the top, Wildlife Monitor Abdullah settled the seal before carefully removing the net and releasing it back into the harbour. 🌊

A great success for the first seal, with three more to go!

A big thank you to Johan Coetzee, Dock Master, and his team, as well as Ashley and the Southey Contracting Marine Division team from the vessel, for their assistance and cooperation throughout the rescue. 💙

04/09/2026

Echo is officially an adult! 🤍🖤

What a journey it’s been! Our beloved African penguin Echo, born last year at the Two Oceans Aquarium, has officially completed her transformation from fluffy chick to beautiful adult penguin. 🐧

With her iconic black-and-white plumage now fully revealed, Echo is proudly stepping into adulthood!

African penguins undergo a complete “catastrophic moult” at around 12 to 24 months old, replacing their juvenile feathers with their permanent adult plumage. It’s an incredible transformation, and we’ve loved watching Echo grow every step of the way. ✨

Welcome to adulthood, Echo! 💙