About

DolphinCare-Africa is a non-profit organization that actively works at conserving local dolphin populations, turtles, whale sharks, migrating whales, and the environment in which they live in. As tourism has increased in the area, so has the need to follow environmentally friendly and sustainable tourism practices, ensuring the safety of coastal cetacean (dolphin and whale) populations.
DolphinCare-Africa believes that our environment is extremely important, not only for the local community that depends on the various marine related activities that take place in Ponta do Ouro, but also for the delicate marine environment that is under constant threat. By raising the awareness of the locals that live here and the tourists that partake in a multitude of different marine and water sport activities, we hope to protect and conserve the marine environment, and the animals it supports, for future generations.
On 22 June 2000, the governments of Moçambique, South Africa, and Swaziland signed a protocol on the establishment of the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation and Resource Area, which includes Ponta do Ouro-Kosi Bay (Moçambique/South Africa). This marine and coastal TFCA will link the Ponta do Ouro-Inhaca coastline of Moçambique with South Africa's iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site. This area is well known for its biodiversity and combines sea coast with extensive wetlands.

It is under the guidance and support of The Natural History Museum, Maputo that we have been able to collect and correlate data over the last decade with positive results. Prior to and during the war very little scientific studies were undertaken in the area, resulting in little or no scientific data. It is our responsibility to encourage sustainable tourism by bridging the gap between science and tourism.

Founded: 1998
Continent: Africa
Place: Ponta do Ouro
Country: Moçambique Why: We Care
Mission: Protecting marine mammals and promoting sustainable tourism practices. Field: Research, Education & Conservation
Background
Prior to the early 90’s, there was little information available on cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in southern Moçambique. In 1994, Moçambique held its first democratic elections after some 16 years of civil war.
On the 28th of December that same year, one of the future co-founders of DolphinCare-Africa had her first in-water encounter with the resident inshore Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins of southern Moçambique. Subsequent trips to the area also resulted in close encounters with the resident dolphins. It was through these interactions that this project and ‘a life’s purpose’ was born.
To get started, we embarked on a two year trial period in efforts to establish Africa'’s first wild dolphin swim and research centre. And in 1996.pdf, Dolphin EnCOuntours officially began in Ponta do Ouro, Moçambique.
Based on advice and guidelines from local and international marine mammal experts, a strict code of conduct was developed, resulting in a program that facilitates close interactions, on the dolphin’s terms. The following years saw dedication to collecting data under the supervision of qualified researchers. Members soon found themselves enthralled by what they were learning and, through the swim programs, financed their first Canon camera with 200mm zoom lens, thus began the photographic fin identification program. The importance of giving back to the dolphins led the way to the establishment of DolphinCare-Africa.

“A vision without a task is but a dream, a task without a vision is a drudgery; a vision and a task are the hope of the world”.