Shelly the Knysna Seahorse

Meet Shelly the Knysna Seahorse, a curious and adventurous creature that lives in the peaceful waters of the Knysna estuary. Shelly is a rare and unique species, known for her delicate features and bright colours that shimmer in the sunlight.

Shelly loves to explore her habitat, swimming through the reeds and kelp forests that surround her home. She often encounters other creatures, like crabs and small fish, which she greets with a friendly nod of her head.

However, life is not always easy for Shelly and her kind. The Knysna Seahorse faces many challenges that threatened their survival. The most significant of these is habitat loss and degradation, caused by pollution, coastal development, and invasive species that disrupted their ecosystem and food sources.

Climate change is another major threat to the seahorse, as changes in water temperature and weather patterns can alter their habitat and disrupt their breeding and feeding patterns. Overfishing and bycatch are also significant challenges for the Knysna seahorse, as they can become trapped in fishing nets or unintentionally caught by fishing vessels, leading to population declines.

Poor water quality is another challenge, as pollution from agricultural and urban runoff can harm the seahorse's health and disrupt their reproductive cycles. Human disturbance, such as recreational activities like boating and swimming, can also disrupt the seahorse's habitat and disturb them.

Finally, invasive species like water hyacinth can displace the seahorse's habitat, making it harder for them to find food and breed. To address these challenges, it is crucial to implement measures like habitat restoration and protection, reducing pollution and bycatch, and implementing sustainable fishing practices.

By supporting Shelly the Knysna Seahorse, you are helping to protect these amazing animals. Proceeds from your purchase will be donated to the Knysna Basin project which support and drive education around the importance of the Knysna Seahorse.

Shelly the Seahorse is 40cm in length, 11 cm in width

Price: R450.00, with R50.00 of each purchase will be given to the Knysna Basin project supporting the conservation of the Knysna Seahorse.

The Knysna Basin Project is a research and conservation organization dedicated to studying and protecting the ecological health and biodiversity of the Knysna estuary and its surrounding ecosystem. The project was established in 1990 and has since become a vital part of the scientific community in South Africa. For more information on Knysna Seahorse conservation, visit: www.knysnabasinproject.co.za