ENVIRONMENT NEWS - Volunteers are invited to lend a hand in rescuing chameleons from vegetation being cleared at the Stander Street temporary fallen tree dump site on Saturday afternoon between 15:00 and 19:30. 

A wood chipper is currently operating at the site (on the corner of Stander and Fifth streets), increasing the urgency of the rescue effort. Any chameleons found will be relocated safely.

Donatella Pontesilli, organiser of the search, says community members who are able to visit the area before Saturday are also encouraged to help by carefully removing chameleons from vegetation piles and placing them in suitable nearby trees or dense evergreen bushes. 

“The chameleons should be gently moved using the twig or branch on which they are found and should not be handled unnecessarily,” she said.

To prevent overcrowding and competition for resources among relocated chameleons, volunteers are asked not to release the rescued ones in the closest available trees near the site.

“The area is being cleared for the future construction of a school, and nearby trees may already contain relocated animals,” said Pontesilli.

Instead, rescuers are kindly asked to walk some distance away from the development area and select healthy, dense evergreen trees. As a guideline, only one chameleon should be placed per tree or container.

Temporary holding station

On Saturday evening, organisers will also establish a temporary holding station where rescued chameleons can be housed safely overnight before being relocated to more suitable habitat on Sunday morning.

“This process has been successfully used in previous rescue operations and helps ensure the animals are protected and released into appropriate environments,” said Pontesilli.

Residents who would like to assist are welcome to visit the Stander Street site at any time during the organised rescue effort on Saturday.

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