GVI Curieuse staff and volunteers went Trekking for Treasure to raise funds for the Seychelles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA). The fundraising event was organised by four of our long-term volunteers – Ingrid, Ingrid, Amy and Ebba – and saw three teams compete in a conservation-themed treasure hunt, focused on the scientific monitoring programmes GVI run at its Island Conservation centre on Curieuse Island.
The teams, the Lemon Sharks, Giant Tortoises and Coco de Mers, tested their knowledge of the island in a challenge of ecological proportions. At the Badamir Trail Egg Toss, the Lemon Sharks (staff member Becky and volunteers Amy, Braden and Ingrid) took an early lead, before tackling the Coco de Mer challenge. The teams then scouted for Giant Tortoises at the Rangers Station, negotiated tangles of roots in the Mangroves in search of all 6 tree species, and got their brains into gear with a Sharky quiz at the viewpoint.
The teams returned to base with the Lemon Sharks carrying their lead into the final show down on Anse Jose, before claiming overall victory for the day!
The event raised £250 which, when added to the existing funds we have raised, allows us to donate in excess of £1,300 worth of drugs and equipment to the SSPCA. They will use this to conduct a sterilisation clinic for stray cats and dogs, on neighbouring Praslin Island.
The medicine and equipment is being shipped in from abroad and is due to arrive in the Seychelles by the New Year. The first clinic on Praslin is being planned for January, with follow-ups every 3 months. After this initial session on Praslin, the programme is also to be extended to La Digue Island.
SSPCA is the only organisation seeking to address the issues of stray animals in the Seychelles and we are proud to be able to support this work.
