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GREAT SEASON:
The 2008/2009
summer rain season truly has been a blessing to SanWild. After the worst
drought ever since the inception of the trust in 2000, the rains were
more than welcome. SanWild also had a great baby season and were blessed
with numerous baby animals including impala, blue wildebeest, giraffe,
waterbuck, zebra, red hartebeest and reedbuck. We are also very pleased
to spot a number of mountain reedbuck and Sharpe’s grysbok lambs. Nala
and her family were returned to the wild along with Zak and a number of
orphaned warthog piglets that were taken in for treatment,
stabilisation, and hand raising after they started collapsing because of
the pro-longed and terrible drought. The large number of warthog piglets
led by Zorro and Tarzan, were such a treat and the joy of seeing the
starving piglets return to life with good care and food makes our lives
worthwhile. They remain reasonably tame and we would like to believe
that they too were grateful for another opportunity at life. To read
more about these orphaned and starving warthogs, please visit our
newsletter archives.
At SanWild we have over the years had a number of success stories, but
also our fair share of setbacks.
SANWILD PATRONS:
In more exciting lion news, we are
delighted to let you know that two South African celebrities have agreed
to come on board as our patrons and it is an absolute pleasure to
welcome Riaan and Michelle Garforth-Venter to SanWild. A warm welcome to
the SanWild Team.
Michelle Garforth-Venter:
 Regarded
as the South Africa’s top environmental television host, Michelle
Garforth has been described as dynamic, adventurous, and drop dead
gorgeous. Her passion for the wild and her story-telling ability is
something exceptional. Michelle is a 100% environmentally-friendly
woman. Having presented over ten shows since the early nineties,
Michelle is immensely popular in South Africa. Her wide repertoire of
shows include Top Billing, Morning Live and educational adventure shows
like Wild Ltd, Spirit of Africa, Bush Radar and many more. Michelle is
best known for the 13 part series ‘African Adventures’ which she
conceptualized and sold to Discovery Channel International.
Michelle’s love for
presenting started at the age of 19, when she regularly started
appearing on our television screens by tackling everything from
entertainment to current affairs to extreme sport. But it is her love
for animals and nature that made her one of the best loved television
personalities in South Africa. Michelle’s most appealing quality is her
ability to reinvent herself, and learn about a variety of things that
most people wouldn’t even dream of. Her beautiful face has appeared on
numerous magazine covers over the years, and her style has evolved
gracefully over the years. Still she is regarded as one of the most
beautiful faces in South Africa.
Michelle has built an
impressive résumé over the years. From hosting and producing popular
TV-show Top Billing to filming and hosting World Gone Wild on Fox Family
Channel in Los Angeles, USA. Michelle’s current projects are quite vast,
and they’ve been very successful thus far.
Bush Radar Kids is an
environmental show hosted by Michelle, to inform the younger generation
about the magical world of the animal kingdom. Michelle has received a
lot of positive feedback and response from the kids.
Then there is also
Wild Ltd. It’s on at 6pm on Monday nights on SABC2. According to
Michelle, this is a far more urgent message because “we are dealing with
more serious issues”.
Michelle has a gentle soul, a warm heart, and a curiosity that ensures
her life is never boring. She is the conduit who opens people’s hearts
and minds. During interviews, Michelle is known to put famous
politicians and stars at ease with her approachable and infectious
personality.
Please visit her website at
www.michellegarforth.com
Riaan Garforth-Venter:
 Riaan
Garforth-Venter is a South African television presenter best known for
hosting his own DIY shows, Die Nutsman and DIY Met Riaan, on SABC2.
Born in Cape Town, Riaan grew up in Worcester. He studied for his HDE
for four years after which he spent eight years teaching woodwork and
technical drawing at a high school. He then spent time teaching at a
special needs school, owned two restaurants and ran a woodwork company.
After an introduction to the world of the media through the Oudtshoorn
Arts Festival he started building sets for magazine shoots. He then
moved to Cape Town and started his own set building company, building
sets for international commercials and local television productions.
A friend at Visi Magazine discovered Riaan for a show called Ou Lap se
Rooi on kykNET. Here Riaan worked with Annemarie Meintjies who asked him
to be the handyman on the show Huis Huis on SABC2 where he hosted a
regular insert.
Riaan and Clive Morris of Clive Morris Productions realised the
potential of producing a DIY programme with Riaan as the host. From an
idea, to 96 episodes later, Die Nutsman was born.
Riaan also hosted a children’s programme on Tube (SABC 2) called
Iketsetse where he shows children how to do arts and craft and simple
woodwork projects by themselves.
Riaan was one of eight celebrities to dance in Strictly Come Dancing II.
He and his partner Hayley Hammond won the competition.
Please visit Riaan’s website at
www.nutsman.co.za
SanWild LION PRIDES:
Earlier this year we were left with no other option than to issue a
press release that we urgently needed funding to feed the SanWild lions.
Failing to raise the necessary funding would sadly have resulted in the
SanWild lions being put to sleep. At a trustees meeting this horrible
option became a stark reality as a result of dwindling donor funding
possibly as a result of the international financial crisis and also our
increased financial commitment to meet bond repayments for the land
purchased by Adam Murry.
It is now one month later and we are extremely grateful to be in a
position to let you all know that a great response was received from our
existing and new friends and donors. Even though we have not yet
secured long term funding, the immediate cash flow crisis was adverted
and enough funding was raised to secure all 16 lion’s future to the end
of April at least. However more urgent funding is still needed to
ensure the animals continued welfare and we still need your financial
support to the end of 2009.
DONATE ON-LINE NOW:
Our you can also make a direct banking transfer to our trust account at
ABSA, Danie Joubert Street, Tzaneen, 0850. Account number 9111221180,
Branch code 334349, SWIFT CODE ABSAZAJJ. By doing so you will help us
to continue to take care of these very special lion prides. For more
information, please email
louise@sanwild.org
We would like to thank the following individuals, companies and
organisations for their support in feeding the SanWild Lion Prides. Your donations have truly made the difference between life and death. From the bottom of our hearts and souls – a huge thank you!
If we have left anybody out please do accept our sincere apologies. It
may be that your donation was received anonymously, after finalization
of the newsletter or a genuine oversight.
Lion Mane Sponsors:
Carla Perkins, Kim Petersen, the PDCMS
Animal Club, Andrea Frabotta, Alex and Deirdre Kock,
Ann Topmiller, Ann Orrsten, Audrey McMillan, Brant Fernance, Jesper &
Asa Lamander, Catherine Coe, Catherine Cullin, Chyreene Truluck, Chris
Shorter, Cheryl Squires,
Claudia Gomes, Colin Jarmin, Colleen Mcdonald, Daniel and Lesley
Cullender, Daleen Spangenberg, Dee de Stadler, Desiree Naidoo, The
Business Zone T/a eAfrica Carriers, Applied Heat, Diane Hughes, Drew
Abrahamson, Eloise Swart, Erez Greenberg, Elisa Galgut, Matthew and Emma
McCabe, Elizabeth Saracki, Frans Joubert, Gerhard de Jager, Gillian
Dawson,
Craig & Hilde Cleaver, Guy Patron, Irma Lowe, Jason Keeton, Joanna
Hordern Curzon, Jenny Grimmer, Jill Vickerman, Jo-anne Denise Holroyd,
Jorina van Rensburg, Julie Reiher, Justin Pretorius, Katie Guthrie, Kate
Rau,
Lela Criswell, Lejane Harding, Maggie Calkins, Marianne Birell, Melissa
Lee Carstens, Karen Pasqualucci, Karin King, Kimberley Mazzoni, Kelly
Guthrie, Leon Webb, Marie G. Peterson, Mignon Schindler, Nancy Tseng,
Karen Pasqualucci, Puneet Gupta, Richard Hardy, Ruda Gous, Samantha
Durante, Saskia Lichtenstern, Sherri Williamson, Steve Port, Susanne
Reuther, Suely Augusto, Sunil Potnis, Taryn du Plessis, Thea van
Rensburg, Theresa Lacante, Tim Warner, Tracey Carolin, Trish Kirk,
McManus Consulting, Virginia Foster, Vlada Popova, Vic and Dianne Pitro,
Waldo van Wyk, Wendy (Jennifer) Davis, Wendy Shopland, Yeardley Smith,
Sylvain Levy Alban and
Charles Garnett, Fondation Brigitte Bardot (France), Glen Dean, iBurst,
Jeanie Grace, Jessica Johnson, John Jackson, Julia Laubscher, Lucy
Locket, Lynette Strydom, Mariette Oosthuizen, Marion Leatherbarrow,
Melanie Cooper, Patricia Stern, Rebecca Davis, Sharon Pettigrew, Tanya
Stone and Tertia Marx.
RECENT ANIMALS RESCUES AND UPDATES:
Injured
Giraffe Calf
A
couple of weeks ago we were alerted to a badly injured giraffe calf. On
arrival at the rescue site we found the small calf on her own. She had
some very bad wounds on her neck and we could see the young animal was
in serious trouble. Unfortunately, there was no time to call out a
veterinarian and a quick decision had to be made to
capture the young animal by hand. She was already very weak and Jeffrey
caught up with her on foot within a short distance of about 50 meters.
The young calf was loaded on the back of our vehicle and we could then
see the extent of her injuries. The calf was attacked by a leopard, but
somehow managed to get away. During the attack, some very bad, but
non-lethal injuries were caused to the thick muscle on her neck. The
wounds unfortunately were badly infected and septicaemia had already
taken its toll. She was weakened from the infection and we knew that
this infection combined with the additional stress of her capture could
prove to be fatal. However, without
being captured and treated she would die a painful death within a day or
two unless another predator took her. Unfortunately soon after arriving
at the rehab centre, her weakened condition and the stress of the
capture proved to be simply too much for the small calf and she sadly
passed away as we were trying to stabilise her.
Hadida Ibis
This season we were privileged to hand
raise 5 Hadida Ibis chicks and also received a poisoned adult bird.
Working with these birds, we had a great opportunity to learn a lot and
also realised just how intelligent and special these birds truly are.
All the hand raised young birds have been released back to the wild
successfully and it is only the adult that still remains at the centre.
Banded Mongoose
We are happy to report that yet another troop of banded mongoose have
successfully been released into the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary. The
troop staked claim to a new home, close to Bliksems boma and are spotted
daily as they forage in and around his holding camp. The troop numbers
12 individuals, 9 adults and three pups.
Genet - Belgium
Another large spotted male genet arrived at SanWild all the way from
Belgium on a sponsored flight. It has been introduced to our small
spotted genet that was hand raised and for now, the two genets have
entered a rehabilitation program that will see both of them returned to
the wild.
Zebra
Foal - Sugar
Sugar, the young zebra foal orphaned
during December 2008 is doing very well. Initially she was very
traumatised after her mother was attacked and killed by an eland bull,
but she has gradually grown from strength to strength. Presently she is
being taken on long walks in the reserve to ensure that she learns about
life out in the wild and so she can interact with the many other wild
animals living in the reserve. Sugar has accepted Rebecca Molamela as
her mother and refuses to go anywhere unless Rebecca is by her side. It
is expected that this young zebra will eventually bond with wild zebra
herds that visit her from time to time on the fence around our house.
Bush Pigs - Bossie &
Ramatsi
The two bush pigs rescued by SanWild are also doing well. The smaller
one of the two Ramatsi, has been moved to the rehab centre from our
house to join up with Bossie. The female bush pig is the biggest of
mates with the young orphaned white rhino, Boytjie. Ramatsi is now in an
adjoining camp and we intend moving Bossie over in about a week’s time
to join her own kind while still being close to Boytjie. We will keep
you posted on developments.
Suricates - Codi's Pups
Codi’s family has grown from strength to strength and she has given
birth to her 2nd litter of pups. This small group of resident Suricates
are kept in a secure area around our rehab centre and office, as they
are not endemic to our immediate area and therefore cannot be released
into a free ranging situation. However, in the large area around the
office and rehab centre they live a life as close to a life in the wild
as is possible at SanWild. We are extremely proud of this small group of
Suricates that have formed successful social bonds and have learnt to
cope with some of their natural prey like snakes and birds of prey.
Tourism:
Cooney family
Slowly but surely SanWild’s small tourism venture
is growing and we are extremely pleased to report that more and more
guests are visiting us to see the important work and successful release
programs done by SanWild. For us it is important that people arrive as
guests and leave as friends.
We also do get some very interesting people nowadays and were delighted
to be included by the Cooney family in their world tour. Mike Cooney,
his wife and three sons are on a world adventure.
This is what they have to say about themselves:
“We are the Cooney Family. Mike, Catrell, Twin Boys -Morgan, & Zach, and
Harrison. We decided approximately 3 years ago to sell everything -
home, cars, boat, furniture, potted plants, etc. and begin an around the
world journey. Some have thought that we are completely nuts, others
consider our decision unimaginable, but most say, “How exciting!”, “I
wish we had the nerve to do something like that.” And the overwhelming
response has been “Your children are so fortunate. What a great
opportunity for them.” To which we said . . . Exactly! Here’s our
theory: give our three sons a way to see the world, experience other
cultures and appreciate what all of us tend to take for granted before
they go to college. That experience, coupled with a good education will
almost assuredly put them on the road to success, regardless of the
vocation they choose. We started our adventure on August 25, 2008”.
You can read more about their tour around the world and their
experiences at SanWild on
www.cooneyworldadventure.com The Cooney
boys also donated $400 towards feeding the SanWild lions.
Snippets:
SanWild disappointed
with Murry Foundation
During 2006 we were very excited to let you know that SanWild had
entered into an agreement with the Murry Foundation in the United
Kingdom to increase the land size of the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary by
120%. Adam Murry at the time undertook to purchase the additional land
and make it available to SanWild for our work and in particular to
create a new home for the Thukela Elephants that faced being culled in
Kwa-Zulu Natal. Gail Porter a UK celebrity was flown out to South Africa
to attend the elephant’s relocation from the Thukela Biosphere Reserve.
A sales agreement was finalised between Mr. Murry and the seller and the
SanWild trustees were asked to sign personal surety for Mr. Murry’s
bond. The land transfer to the Murry Foundation Conservation Holdings
was finalised in February 2008.
Just a year later he sadly defaulted on the February 2009 bond
instalment and SanWild had to step in and meet the bond repayment.
Subsequently Mr. Murry has signed over the shares in his company to the
SanWild Wildlife Trust and SanWild has taken over all the bond
commitments in order to prevent foreclosure by the bank.
Taking over the bond has placed a heavy additional financial burden on
the trust, but unfortunately we did not have too much of a choice as the
land simply could not be lost to the animals in the reserve; especially
the 9 rescued African elephants which were saved from an imminent
culling operation in the Thukela Bio-sphere reserve and relocated to
SanWild. Losing the land would mean that a new home would have to be
found for the elephants again and they would need to be relocated
placing them in danger once again.
This has left SanWild with the huge task of finding sustainable long
term solutions and to raise sufficient funding that will allow us to
meet this increased financial responsibility in the time where the world
faces serious financial problems.
New Members:
We would like to welcome the following new members to our circle of
friends: Ann Morkel, Audrey Reynolds, Candi Smith, Daphne Zubentheim,
George van der Merwe, Mariette Presley and Sharon Terry.
Your membership packages have been mailed to you and include a year
complimentary subscription to Animal Talk Magazine, a stunning computer
mouse pad, and a membership certificate. We trust that all of you have
received your packages by now, but would appreciate if you could confirm
receipt and email Lizel Kachelhoffer on
lizel@sanwild.org.
SanWild has some really great membership options and should you like to
contribute to us on a monthly basis please do visit our How You Can Help
page where you will find a link to Be A SanWild Member and find a
package that will suit you. In exchange for your monthly contribution
you will receive a complimentary copy of Animal Talk Magazine, a
stunning computer mouse pad featuring some of SanWild’s most well-known
animals and a personalised membership certificate.
Joining as a member is really a great way to support the important
conservation and animal welfare work of the SanWild Wildlife Trust. For
more information visit both our websites or email
lizel@sanwild.org
New
Trustees:
 
SanWild would like to welcome two
additional trustees to our trust. Elsa Cornellissen and Lizel
Kachelhoffer .
Merchandise:
SanWild’s stunning computer mouse pads are available and you are invited
to purchase your own a.s.a.p. For more information, please email
lizel@sanwild.org
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BE THE RIGHTKIND FOR WILDKIND:
BE THE RIGHTKIND FOR WILDKIND AND HELP US
SECURE BUKISA’S FAMILY’S FUTURE:
In order to help us meet the additional
bond repayments we have just launched BUKISA’S BUSH CAMP. This stunning
and exclusive private bush camp named after our large elephant bull
consists of 4 luxury safari-style tents, each with their own en-suite
bathroom. The central facility has a fully equipped kitchen, laundry,
pub, lounge, dining area, and a rock pool. Presently the camp is
available on a self-catering basis and we can accommodate up to 8
people. One game drive per day is included.
The rates are as follows:
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R5000 per day to book
the entire camp.
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R1550 per tent per
night sleeping 2 people.
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Discounted offer
applies to all bookings made for the period April – July 2009.
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To qualify for the
discounted rate bookings must be made and paid in full by 30th April
2009.
The camp is serviced daily and we would
really appreciate you booking your next holiday in this camp and by
doing so, help secure Bukisa’s family’s future.
To view BUKISA’S CAMP please follow the link from our main page. For more information
or to enquire about availability please email
reservations@sanwild.org
WILDLIFE REHABILITATION TRAINING:
 SanWild
has recently started giving formal wildlife rehabilitation training
courses. If you are interested in getting involved in wildlife
rehabilitation please email Lizel Kachelhoffer for full course details
on
lizel@sanwild.org Only two more places
are available for the May course.
PROJECT UPDATES:
Humane Society International (Australia) Vervet
Release Program:
Verna Simpson, Director of the Humane Society International arrived at
SanWild all the way from Australia to visit us and see the important
conservation and animal rehabilitation work done by SanWild. It was a
real pleasure having her here and we were sorry to see her leave.
The vervet monkey project sponsored by Verna’s organisation has been
doing very well and the last 8 juvenile vervets were introduced to the
troop on the 20th March 2009. The 8 young vervets did not initially
seem too pleased with having to adapt to life in a vervet troop, but we
know this is in their best interest and that they will settle down
soon.
Young Noodle, the vervet monkey delivered during an emergency C-section
is one of the 8 young vervets and although neither him nor his mother
that is one of the dominant females in the troop, will know that they
are related, we are pleased to know that this troop will give Noodle the
opportunity to return to the wild where he and his friends belong. Young
Pepe, Tom and Jerry and four other young vervets were all rescued from
the illegal pet trade and could have ended up spending the rest of their
lives in captivity had it not been for this great project sponsored by
Verna and her team.
Large Predator Release Project:
Our large predator release project is still on hold pending the approval
of our release permit. Sadly we have had to once again resort to legal
letters to get the conservation departments off their butts to do their
job. One cannot begin to describe the frustration of having to deal
with government departments that seem totally disinterested to do their
work. However there is light at the of the tunnel as some individuals
still do try their best to keep an incompetent and mostly dysfunctional
government department running and we have been told that we should
receive the release permits shortly. We will keep you posted.
Once the permits have been issued you will be updated and we will put
out appeals to raise the balance of the project costs needed to release
wild dogs and cheetahs into the reserve.
NEW SPECIAL PROJECT – HIPPO HAVEN
Most of you will know about the two rescued hippos Tonga and Aldo that
arrived at SanWild after they were rescued from two respective
travelling circuses in France.
For many years French animal welfare charities like the Fondation
Brigitte Bardot and Animaux Animals have lobbied and worked tirelessly
to stop hippos being used as sideshows by travelling circuses. Most of
the time these unfortunate creatures are kept in appalling conditions
and have no real quality of life. SanWild has proved beyond a doubt that
these unfortunate creatures can be given a new opportunity and can be
successfully returned to the wild. Tonga and Aldo have adjusted and
adapted well to their new life and are extremely happy.
We have been asked to accept more confiscated hippos and return them to
the wild, but in order to do so, SanWild needs your financial support to
build our HIPPO HAVEN.
HIPPO HAVEN will be constructed in the heart of the SanWild Wildlife
Sanctuary and will consist of two large dirt dams in which hippos can
live wild and free. The area in which HIPPO HAVEN will be constructed
is surrounded by thousands of hectares of prime hippo country.
Presently two dirt dams have already been constructed in this area, but
unfortunately during a flash flood some years back one of the dam walls
broke and has not yet been repaired. The dam next door needs its wall
lifted in order to carry sufficient water that will allow for the
creation of a wetland system in which hippos can be settled. The total
project cost is $20 000.00 US.
Please click here view our special slide show to see what a huge
difference life at SanWild can make for a circus hippo. There is simply
no comparison in having a miserable life in captivity when compared to
the wide open spaces of the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary. With your help
and donations five more captive and abused hippos can enjoy the life
Tonga and Aldo have found at SanWild.
You can donate on-line now
For more information please email
louise@sanwild.org or phone our offices
a.s.a.p.
RECENT ANIMALS RESCUES AND UPDATES:
Snared Leopard
Every now and then, we are called out to
an animal rescue that has a severe psychological impact on our team.
About two weeks ago, we were once again called out to help a snared
animal. This time it was a snared leopard, the third snared leopard in
two years for our team and the third one in the mountains behind
Tzaneen. Over the last two months, three leopards had been caught in
snares in this particular area and two had died as a result.
As we were some distance away from SanWild, we did not return to our
clinic to collect drugs to immobilise the leopard as we were informed
that a local veterinarian Dr, Gert Kruger was already on his way to dart
the leopard at the site, which was only 8km outside of Tzaneen. We
popped into the Tzaneen veterinary clinic and picked up all the drugs
and intravenous drips needed to transport the leopard should this prove
necessary. We had hoped that it would simply be a matter of drugging the
leopard, removing the snare, and setting it free to return to the wild
as the leopard had been trapped around the waist. Sadly, as we arrived
on the scene the situation was really bad.
A large crowd of people had already gathered at the scene and the poor
leopard was highly stressed and in obvious pain. No attempt was made by
the conservation authorities, local SPCA, or the veterinarian to secure
the area and keep people away from the injured leopard. The snare had
cut deeply into its waist and an open wound could clearly be seen.
The entire situation for both the unfortunate creature and the members
of the public was extremely dangerous. The close proximity of so many
people (25-30) really put a tremendous amount of additional stress on an
already badly injured animal. People simply did not seem to give a
moment's thought for the animal’s pain and obvious fear. Many of them
moved closer and closer determined to get more photographs for their
collection. Cell phones were constantly ringing and short wave radios
crackled as more and more people tried to find out about the snared
leopard or tried to let their friends know about the snared leopard.
After attempting to dart the snared leopard the vet then discovered that
he did not have sufficient drugs with him to immobilise the poor
creature and did not have any more of the particular drug at his surgery
in Tzaneen to complete the job.
SanWild fortunately had drugs at our clinic and we set off on a crazy
drive to collect and deliver the drugs to the vet to complete the job.
On our return to the rescue site, the unfortunate creature was darted
and soon fell asleep. It was cut free from the snare and carried to our
nearby vehicle. Sadly, we then noticed that the leopard had chewed off
almost the entire back foot because of pain and suffering. It had
possibly hoped that by chewing away at its foot, it could free itself
from the cruel trap. At the time, I was close to crying but managed to
control my emotions knowing that the sleeping leopard no longer could
feel the terrible pain and that it was no longer desperately trying to
get away from the gathering crowds. Hard decisions had to be made in the
animal’s best interest. The amputation of its foot and life in captivity
was simply not an option. I also realised that the extent of the rest of
its injuries would most likely result in death quite soon. The snare had
cut deeply into its waist and a gaping wound was seen all around its
beautiful body. One could only guess the extent of the internal injuries
to vital organs and blood supply.
 The
poor creature was doomed. As we set off for the veterinary clinic in
Tzaneen to have the leopard put to sleep, I was deeply saddened,
especially as this was the third leopard dying in the area because of
snaring in only 2 months. The leopard was pronounced dead on arrival at
the veterinary clinic.
Injured Wild Dog
The call was received late afternoon as we were driving staff home. A
wild dog had broken a front leg and was spotted running down the
reserve’s perimeter game fence. As it was pursued by rangers it ran into
a nearby warthog burrow. The rangers could see the animal down in the
 burrow
and called us for help. As we arrived at the burrow we had no idea what
the extent of its injuries were and had to rely solely on the rangers’
report that indicated that the left front leg was broken but that no
further injuries could be seen. The dog otherwise appeared to be in good
health. Within a couple of minutes, we managed to dart the dog down in
the burrow and then settled down to wait for about 10-15 minutes for the
dog to fall asleep. We did not want to risk it doing more damage to the
broken leg. Soon the dog was sleeping peacefully and then the
difficult task started for one of the rangers to crawl down the burrow
and get a good grip on the dog while the other rangers slowly, but
surely pulled him back out while he was holding onto the dog. Both
ranger and dog appeared out of the burrow covered in dust, but no worse
off for their ordeal. The dog was settled at the rehab centre and was
taken to Phalaborwa veterinary clinic early the next morning for
orthopaedic surgery to insert a steel pin into the leg. Presently it is
still recuperating at the centre. We are confident that he will make a
full recovery.
Caracals
Two young caracals arrived at SanWild for
hand raising this season already. Deemed as problem and damage causing
animals caracals like other smaller predators including black backed
jackals are seen as vermin and are mercilessly persecuted on many
private game and livestock farms in South Africa. Presently government
is holding public participation workshops to draft new regulations for
dealing with so-called damage causing animals. Like with so many other
public participation workshops this too seems like yet another great
scam and many participants feel that government has already made up
their minds to deal with these unfortunate creatures in a harsh manner,
not recognising the valuable role they play in conservation.
One of our caracals was born shortly after
his mother was trapped by a livestock farmer. As a result of the stress,
she gave birth inside the trap cage. His mother was shot summarily and
the small kitten was handed to a young farm hand to do with it as he
pleased. He tried desperately to keep the young caracal alive, but as it
deteriorated rapidly, he realised that unless the young animal got
professional help urgently it would die. He drove 80km to the nearest
veterinarian who agreed to take on the baby caracal and stabilise it
providing that the caracal would eventually be handed to a
rehabilitation centre for hand raising and eventual release back to the
wild. Felix is now three months old and is doing very well.
Pearl Spotted Owl
From time to time we are handed orphaned or injured animals that are
brought into the various veterinary clinics with whom we work on a
regular basis. Two months ago, we were given a fully-grown pearl spotted
owl that was taken to the Phalaborwa Animal Clinic by a member of the
public with a broken wing. The initial prognosis was not good, but
despite the break being in a very sensitive spot, Dr. Scheepers decided
that it was worth a try and in an operation the owl’s small wing was set
by using a needle as a pin, all other pins available to veterinarians
proved to be too large to be used on one of the smallest owl species.
After 6 weeks, the needle was removed and within three weeks after that,
the small owl was moved into a larger enclosure to see if it would be
possible for it to regain flight. Amazingly, it did and we are delighted
to report that time and physiotherapy proved sufficient to see this
stunning little bird of prey return to the wild.
Grass Owl
A young grass owl will also be released back to the wild this week after
it was hand raised at the centre. As with many other owls in the past,
we are confident that it will remain at the centre for a number of weeks
after its release while it gradually learns to hunt its natural prey.
Once the owl has perfected its hunting technique it will eventually lose
interest in humans and its dependency on us for supplement feeding and
it will spread it wings to find new adventures in the wild.
Brown Snake Eagle
A call was received on the 30th March 2009 to help a badly injured brown
snake eagle. The bird was spotted in a nearby reserve unable to fly.
Unfortunately, it took four days before the call for help was put out to
SanWild and we would like to stress once again that if an injured animal
is spotted a call for help must please be placed immediately. Playing
the wait and see game normally results in the animal’s eventual death.
Sadly, on arrival we could see the bird was very weak and our hopes for
a successful rescue dwindled. The injury to the bird’s wing was possibly
because of an electrical shock during a collision with power lines. The
flesh had already decomposed and a large section of the wing bone was
exposed. Serious infection had set in and maggots were crawling on the
decomposing flesh. Nothing more could be done to save the eagle’s wing
and we decided to put it down.
In our next newsletter we will tell you more about oher rescues and
releases that include a serval, baby tree squirrel and the laughing dove
with a severe concussion.
Upcoming Television
Shoots:
Two television documentaries are planned
thus far for 2009. Wild Ltd an environmental television program
presented by Michelle Garforth-Venter will be shooting at SanWild by the
end of April.
Another television production crew will arrive shortly to do yet another
update on canned hunting and they will be arriving at SanWild to film
the SanWild lions of which all but one, have been rescued from South
Africa’s disgusting canned hunting industry. Let’s hope that the
documentary will ensure that the international community realise that
canned lion hunting is alive and well in South Africa and a great job
was done by the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to mislead
the international animal loving community into believing that he had
serious intentions of shutting down this terribly cruel industry that
breeds lions for one purpose only and that is to shoot them as hunting
trophies. For those of you who have not yet heard about the use of lion
bones for the manufacture of so-called Lion Wine, please do read the
article first published in Africa Geographic on our website Notice Board
by Ian Michler, well known environmental journalist.
Another UK television production house has also contacted us and we are
currently talking to them about the possibility of doing a documentary
about SanWild’s work over the last couple of years.
Snippets:
Legal Application:
In more lion news, SanWild was finally given a Supreme Court date in
which our high court application against the Limpopo Department of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism was to be heard on the 27th November
2009. Unfortunately, the state attorney who acts for the department was
already booked for another trial and the court case had to be postponed
and now we waiting for yet another date that may only be in 2010. We are
bringing this to your attention to show you in what a bad state our
judicial system currently finds itself.
The department has been indebted to SanWild for feeding costs for the
AFU lions since the animals were brought to SanWild. We are asking the
court to instruct the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to
settle their outstanding account plus all accrued interest.
GardenEx
Michelle and Riaan Garforth-Venter attended the GardenEx Exhibition at
the Coca Cola Dome in Johannesburg as “captive” celebrities to raise
funds to support the SanWild lions.
Happy Birthday!
Andre Grobler one of the founder trustees had his 53rd birthday on the
18th March. Happy Birthday Andre!
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