"Wild Waterfront": The remarkable tale of our urban wildlife and the people who protect them

This week, the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation enjoyed the premiere of our latest documentary film, Wild Waterfront, at Cape Town's Labia Theatre!

Created by our award-winning Productions team, Marguerite Venter and Jerome Stationway, Wild Waterfront focuses on the vital work of the Marine Wildlife Management team at the V&A Waterfront. The creation of this exciting documentary was only possible thanks to the support and funding of Film Cape Town, and we are incredibly grateful.

"We are thrilled to see the Wild Waterfront project and proud to consider it a success story from our Film Fund. The dedication and hard work of the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation are truly remarkable. We look forward to seeing the film reach its full potential, and for audiences to experience the incredible work being done to protect and celebrate the wildlife of Cape Town," said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

What is Wild Waterfront about?

Set in Cape Town’s iconic V&A Waterfront, one of the city’s most visited destinations with 26 million annual visitors, the documentary follows the Marine Wildlife Management team and the work they do to protect Cape fur seals and other marine animals that navigate life in a bustling urban harbour. While the area is a commercial and tourism hub, it is also home to a surprising array of marine wildlife, including sunfish, seabirds, Cape clawless otters, and the occasional visiting whale or dolphin.

Wild Waterfront sheds light on the challenges and rewards of protecting these animals and seeks to promote a deeper understanding of urban ecosystems and the importance of human-wildlife co-existence by intertwining stories of wildlife and the human team.

The Marine Wildlife Management Programme is run by the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation in partnership with the V&A Waterfront. The Wildlife Management team is responsible for the monitoring of wildlife within the V&A Waterfront, to assist with human-animal conflict resolution, and to aid animals in distress.

The team primarily focuses on seals that have plastic and other waste around their necks. By using specialised equipment and techniques, the team can cut nooses from around the necks of wild seals. Marine birds are also affected by the pollution in the harbour, and the team assists where possible to free these animals from their entanglements. On occasion, the team is called on to assist sunfish or seals that might be trapped in the dry docks, as the docks are drained of water. The team also monitors the movements of Cape clawless otters, which frequent various parts of the Waterfront in search of food, fresh water and holt spaces.

“When I encourage people to watch this film, it's not just because of the inspirational team or a love of urban wildlife, although those are great reasons. It’s also because most people simply don’t know what this team does behind the scenes. Wild Waterfront reveals an almost magical world that remains hidden from the millions of tourists who visit the V&A Waterfront each year. For many, discovering this world will be remarkable and even a little mind-blowing,” said director Marguerite Venter, Head of Productions at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation.

Where can I watch Wild Waterfront?