14-year-old Romario Valentine holds his painting of a Gentoo Penguin, photograph by Delsha Moodley
Nine years ago, at the age of just six, Romario Valentine played the role of an Orca in a school production in his hometown of Durban in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Province. Now a teenager, he has once more set out to raise funds for the Saving Marion Island’s Seabirds: The Mouse-Free Marion (MFM) Project via the online BackaBuddy crowd-funding platform.
Romario says that from his experience dressed up as a Killer Whale “I discovered the impact pollutants were having on marine life. This led me to become an environmental activist, bird conservation artist and the author of “Protect our Planet – Take Action with Romario”, which is a vibrant guide on how anyone can become an earth guardian. “Since 2020, I have supported conservation efforts for the Umgeni River Bird Sanctuary in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal; Birds for Eden, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, in the Segera, Kenya with the Zeitz Foundation, and BirdLife South Africa’s Mouse-Free Marion Project.”
He continues: “I’m an ambassador for Ocean Sole and Youth for Lions South Africa. In 2022, I was presented with a BirdLife South Africa Owlet Award, in 2024 a Pick n Pay Hero Award for environmental awareness, and in 2025 an environmental WESSA Youth Award. This year, I received my phase one certification as a SANParks Junior Honorary Ranger in the Lowveld.”
A Wandering Albatross spreads its wings in display, artwork by Romario Valentine
As well as for the MFM Project, Romario’s appeal is raising funds for the SANCCOB Foundation’s efforts to save the Critically Endangered African Penguin Spheniscus demersus and for BirdLife South Africa’s Albatross Task Force. All donations received will be divided equally between the three projects.
Romario writes: “With the incredible support of eco-buddies, family and other nature enthusiasts, I have been able to sponsor 57 hectares, as recorded in the Giant Petrel category on the MFM Project ‘s Honour Roll. My aim is to increase my sponsorship through my new appeal to 100 hectares (Wandering Albatross category). Your support of my three chosen projects will be greatly appreciated.”
The MFM Project is most grateful for Romario Valentine’s continued efforts to support it via his latest BuckaBuddy Appeal “Romario’s Seabirds Conservation”. Please consider making a donation, however small or large, and help him become one of currently only 27 members of the prestigious “Wandering Albatross Club”.
At the time of writing Romario’s appeal stands at R2100 donated towards its R30 000 target.
With thanks to Romario’s parents, Delsha and Clive.
John Cooper, News Correspondent, Mouse-Free Marion Project, 10 March 2026
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At risk to attacks by mice. A Wandering Albatross chick in Marion Island study colony repairs its nest, photograph by Michelle Risi
The Mouse-Free Marion Project is a registered non-profit company (No. 2020/922433/08) in South Africa, established to eradicate the invasive albatross-killing mice on Marion Island in the Southern Ocean. The project was initiated by BirdLife South Africa and the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. Upon successful completion, the project will restore the critical breeding habitat of over two million seabirds, many globally threatened, and improve the island’s resilience to a warming climate. For more information or to support the project please visit mousefreemarion.org.
