Mozambique Tragedy at Dolphin Encounters Research Center

Angie Gullan and her 10 year old Dolphin Encountours Interaction and Research Center experienced a terrible tragedy on June 19th, 2010 when an all encompassing fire raged through the dolphin and scuba diving concessions within the Ponta do Ouro campsite in southern Mozambique.

At around 3am, the marine biologist , Daina Rocha, woke the staff to a blazing inferno. Huge flames arose at the camp entrance, climbing the towering casuarina trees. The enormity of the problem was quickly understood when staff members could not even turn on the tap and hose to attempt to put out the flames.

Angie was able to save the company laptops and underwater video camera, and the staff was able to evacuate all guests safely.

Though they evacuated to the beach, the sky rained burning embers as the wind fueled the fire. Arm in arm the staff stood, watching, crying and then freezing in the 11 degree winter chill. Dolphin Encountours, The Whaler and three quarters of Simply Scuba burned to the ground. No human lives were lost, however cats are still missing and people living on-site lost absolutely everything.

Current and future bookings will be accommodated at O’Lar do Ouro until further notice. Tour prices remain the same – however bed and brunch costing will change.

The coming months are no doubt going to be very difficult for everyone involved and the road to recovery will be long. We will be needing financial assistance to get back to where we were – from the purchasing of research equipment to the rebuilding of both the base camps and our lives.

For those that are in a position to assist please do so through the below bank account or contact Angie for a copy of our "wish list."

Account holder: Dolphin EnCOuntours
Bank: Nedbank
Branch: Sandton
Account number: 1970645857
Branch code: 197/005.
Swift Bank Code: NEDSZAJJ.

If you can't help financially, please drop Angie a line with words of encouragement. I'm sure she will appreciate it. Having 10 years of your life go up in flames has to be a mind numbing experience.

boudecca walker