Organization of the Day: SanWild Wildlife Trust and Sanctuary

The wildlife tragedies occurring in South Africa are far and wide, and are continuing at such a pace that prompts deep concern for the nation’s ecotourism-based economy. Poaching occurring on many different levels, illegal hunting, canned hunting, illegal capture of wild animals for exotic pet trade and suspicious tourist attractions, and the killing of animals for use in superstitious Muti magic are only the beginning of the factors threatening so many species in South Africa today. In addition to orphaned, abandoned, or injured wildlife from incidental interactions with humans and/or their activities, all of these threats have created a great need for sanctuary for these animals.

A leopard that has fallen victim to a poacher's snare (photo credit: SanWild)

After being exposed to wildlife conservationists and efforts to save wild animals through fundraising campaigns in the late ‘80s, business executive Louise Joubert eventually gave up her comfortable lifestyle and began a new career working with wild animals in the Limpopo province of South Africa. Over the years, she personally witnessed many troubling incidents involving the ill-treatment and unethical, careless disregard for wild animals being relocated as part of a game and wildlife trade industry involving private game reserves and National Parks. It was essentially a program whereby wild animals were exchanged between various private game reserves and also national parks. She took it upon herself to rescue young victims of this trade industry and provide the proper care needed for their survival.

Photo credit: SanWild

After obtaining some land needed for her efforts, Joubert founded SanWild Wildlife Trust in 2000, with the key objective of securing funding for the rescue, veterinary care, and rehabilitation needed to release the animals back into their natural habitats. After only two years, SanWild was able to raise enough funds to purchase neighboring farm lands that had been abandoned. The organization was able to take ownership over a very large area of land, which was fenced off, and is now used for the release of SanWild’s rescued animals.

SanWild accommodation (photo credit: SanWild)

There are three major components of SanWild Wildlife Trust: a response unit, a sanctuary, and a wildlife protection team. The wildlife response unit is essentially a rescue squad. They are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ready and willing to respond to calls about distressed animals in need of help. Of course, veterinarians are needed in most cases, so SanWild has developed a network of qualified veterinarians who are on standby to responded when needed.

Photo credit: SanWild

The sanctuary serves as a point for rescued animals to be rehabilitated and released. Here they receive all the care and nourishment they need to be successfully released into SanWild’s protected reserve, where they will live out their lives happily, naturally, and safe from human threats. Animal still receiving medical care may stay in proper (and spacious) enclosures until they have been deemed ready for release. Many lives are saved at the SanWild sanctuary, and many animals are given a chance to return to their wild roots. The sanctuary has even provided a way for some zoo animals to get back to nature and live happy wild lives, such as Bombi, a lion cub from Budapest Zoo, and Tonga and Aldo, two male hippos rescued from French circuses.

Photo credit: SanWild

Additionally, SanWild has been a critical component in the rescue of some animals destined for a cruel and inhumane ending of their lives. SanWild teamed with some major animal welfare organizations to fight the canned hunting industry, which SanWild says as many as 6,000 lions may be retained in. In so doing, two prides of lions have been removed from illegal hunting and breeding operations and placed at the SanWild sanctuary. A Black Rhino (of which there is said to be only 500 left) that was being kept for use in a suspicious breeding facility, was also saved from a canned hunt by SanWild and was allowed to live out the last year of her life as a happy, wild rhino at the Sanctuary.

Some of the lions spared from the canned hunting industry (photo credit: SanWild)

In Operation Jumbo Journey, SanWild was able to save nine elephants from being culled at a disintegrating South African game reserve where the giants had been creating conflict with neighboring villages and farms. Despite numerous obstacles in the lengthy process, and through unfailing hope and hard work to make it happen, the herd was successfully brought to the sanctuary and released into their new home. Sadly, some members of the herd had experienced culling before and some were recovering from seeing their families slaughtered years before. SanWild says it can take up to 20 years for an elephant to recover from such horrific trauma. Thankfully, these nine are now safe and flourishing at SanWild.

Operation Jumbo Journey (Photo credit: Jennifer Bruce via SanWild)

SanWild’s wildlife protection unit sends well-trained rangers out to protect the Sanctuary’s animals. Although the area is completely fenced in, poachers are able to make it through the fencing with snares and guns, ready to take whatever they can get. With the rhinos and elephants reflecting a gleam in the eyes of poaching syndicates, SanWild’s rangers must guard the animals closely. They must also keep an eye out for poaching snares, destroyed fencing (which is ironically used to make snares frequently), and any other suspicious activities. This group of men take their jobs seriously and surrounding communities are aware of their presence. The SanWild anti-poaching team is a critical piece of the sanctuary’s functioning, as these animals cannot live freely if they are threatened by humans even in this safe haven.

SanWild rangers removes a poacher's snare  (photo credit: SanWild)

The number and diversity of species that SanWild has been able to save is admirable. From poisoned vultures, to abused steenbok, to starving and dehydrated warthog piglets, SanWild makes every effort it can to save these innocent animals and to give them a chance they wouldn’t have otherwise. Their dedicated staff, experienced veterinarians, and undying respect and love of wildlife have proven to be a major contribution to the conservation of South African wildlife. They have showed time and time again that they will stop at nothing to achieve something they firmly believe in. SanWild’s years of experience has aided in the improvement of rehabilitation techniques that can be used elsewhere. What was once only a dream in the mind of Louise Joubert has succeeded in becoming one of the most prominent organizations in the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife.