03/09/2026
🎉🦭 Happy 170th Birthday, Bayworld! 🐧🌊
Today we celebrate 170 years of an institution that has become such an important part of Port Elizabeth’s history and South Africa’s natural heritage. 💙
Bayworld has come a very long way since its beginnings in a single room at the Atheneum, through its time in a single house in Bird Street, to its current home since the 1960s. And what an incredible place it has become!
Today, Bayworld is home to the largest marine mammal collection in the Southern Hemisphere, a wonderful population of African penguins, some very special sea turtles, and Sammy, our much-loved Cape fur seal who recently celebrated her 21st birthday! 🦭🎂
We’re also incredibly proud to be home to the oldest New Caledonian giant gecko in captivity. 🦎
But perhaps what makes Bayworld truly special is its people. From the marine mammal and wildlife teams to the rehabilitation and stranding response teams, there are so many dedicated people working behind the scenes every day to care for animals, respond to emergencies, rehabilitate wildlife and contribute to conservation. ❤️
170 years is an incredible milestone, but this is certainly not the end of Bayworld’s story. We’re excited to see what the future holds and look forward to the redevelopment and the next chapter of this very special place. 🌊
Happy Birthday, Bayworld! Here’s to 170 years of history, wildlife, conservation and countless stories still to come. 🎉💙
