OP Village RAG supports APSS with significant fundraising

The Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) and its African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) are thrilled to extend heartfelt thanks to the veterinary students of the Faculty of Veterinary Science’s OP Village RAG for their incredible support during 2025.

Despite their rigorous academic schedules, these passionate students dedicated their time and energy to a series of fun and informative fundraising events, raising just under R60 000 in donations and nearly R10 000 in merchandise to support the conservation of the endangered African penguin.

OP Village is a student residence at the Onderstepoort campus of the University of Pretoria, home to students pursuing Veterinary Science or Veterinary Nursing careers. Through the student-driven, non-profit organisation Reach Out and Give (RAG), OP Village annually chooses an animal charity to support, combining fundraising with awareness-raising initiatives.

Shaylee Bouwer, Chairperson of OP Village RAG 2025, explained the motivation behind their 2025 efforts:

“We have been heartbroken to learn about the declining numbers of the critically endangered African penguin. As veterinary students and animal enthusiasts, we identified the Dyer Island Conservation Trust as a key role-player in the conservation of these beautiful animals. The Sanctuary’s ongoing work, including the creation of artificial nests, has inspired us to help raise awareness and support for this species.”

Over the years, OP Village RAG has championed the causes of several remarkable animal conservation projects, including Rhino Repro (2020), the African Pangolin Working Group (2021), Mabula Ground Hornbill Project (2022), Vulpro (2023), and the Waterberg Wild Dog Initiative (2024). Their consistent dedication to protecting vulnerable wildlife has made a tangible difference in South Africa’s conservation landscape.

DICT and the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary are immensely grateful to Shaylee Bouwer and the OP Village RAG team for their selfless commitment and enthusiastic support. Their efforts not only raise vital funds for penguin conservation but also help educate the broader public about the threats facing these remarkable seabirds, from habitat loss and food shortages to human disturbances.

 “The support of these young, passionate veterinary students has been invaluable,” says Christine Wessels of DICT. “They remind us that even amidst busy academic schedules, people can make a real difference for our wildlife.”

** This article was originally published online by the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT).

For more information on the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary or to support their conservation efforts, visit www.dict.org.za