A FORCE OF NATURE

Romario is only 11 years old but already he’s a veteran when it comes to saving the environment

- JANICE BECKETT-MSIZA

HE DESCRIBES himself as an ornithophile – someone who loves birds. It sounds like a mouthful for a tween, but for this conservationist it’s just part of the conversations he has about saving the planet.

Romario Valentine (11) isn’t yet in his teens but he’s fast becoming a veteran protector of flora and fauna. His latest accomplishment has been to raise more than R20 000 to help protect 28 species of seabird on Marion Island from extinction.

The island’s two million birds are being preyed upon by mice that savagely attack nesting albatross and their helpless chicks, ripping the flesh from their bodies.

Romario, whose book, Protect Our Planet: Take Action with Romario, was published last year, says he was shocked to learn about the mice eating birds alive. “I decided to support The Mouse-Free Marion Project by creating my fundraiser.”

His mom, Delsha Moodley (38), helped set up a BackaBuddy campaign called Romario’s Seabirds Christmas Gift, which raised R20  766,81 in just five weeks – enough to sponsor mice eradication over 20 hectares of the 30 000- hectare island.