GEORGE NEWS - Community volunteers in George are once again preparing to take part in a search for stranded chameleons in Blanco tonight, Thursday 28 May from 16:00, as rescue efforts continue following recent severe weather that left large amounts of storm debris across the area.

Local animal advocate Donattella Ponteselli, who has been leading nightly rescue operations since the weekend, said this week’s missions have been very successful but that more help is needed in Blanco tonight.

“The chipper is heading to Blanco next and tonight could be our last chance to save the chameleons. There are thousands there still. We need help tonight urgently,” she said.

Ponteselli has been encouraging children in Blanco to assist and is offering R10 for every chameleon found. 

“The other night we were blessed with donations and were able to give 100 hot dogs, cool drinks and sweets to the children. The kids have been fantastic with the R10-a-chameleon initiative,” she said.

She added that curator Christiaan Viljoen of the Garden Route Botanical Garden addressed the children during one of the searches. 

“They were so engaged and interested in what he had to say. It was absolutely amazing,” she said.

Searches focus on green spaces and piles of storm debris where chameleons are believed to be trapped following recent severe weather that caused widespread tree damage across the city.

George Municipality is currently removing large heaps of branches and vegetation. Volunteers are concerned that some chameleons could be lost if not rescued in time.

Tonight’s search will again take place under Ponteselli’s guidance. She said the initiative has become especially popular among families and children, with rescued chameleons being relocated to the Garden Route Botanical Garden.

To help sustain the effort, she is appealing for public donations towards the “R10 each saved” initiative, with contributions able to be dropped off at Yellowbird Coffee Shop or brought directly to the search site.

“Come help us tonight. You won’t regret it,” Ponteselli said.

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