Nyala shows off her calf

A nyala hand reared at Wildcare was later released at Sanwild. The nyala has been free ranging. Just recently Karen was lucky enough to see the nyala and her calf which she bought close to the camp. A little later, her partner was also sighted. Antelope can be successfully hand raised and released.

The ultimate proof of successful rehabilitation is when an animal is able to breed and rear young successfully and independantly in the wild.

Leopard rehabilitation successful

Wildcare received two leopard cubs following a confiscation from a canned hunting operation. The cubs were hand raised. Getting permits to release leopard was considered impossible and we accepted that the leopards would have to be placed in some kind of sanctuary or permanent captivity. Thus no attempts were made to keep the cubs wild.

Dr Douw Grobler persuaded us that a release was possible and against all odds and with great trepidation...we agreed...and the leopards were taken down to Kwandwe for release.

The male adapted rapidly and was soon hunting and coping well, and very importantly, avoided people. The female started to move closer to human activity and it was decided to move her to Shamwari - a longer release process was undertaken.

Both leopards were fitted with radio collars; three messages daily are sent to the managers cell phone; and a special signal is sent if the leopard moves close to boundary fences to too close to human habitation.

The male at Kwandwe has been sighted and is coping really well and is believed to have fathered some cubs. The female at Shamwari was recently sighted.....with a happy, healthy cub of aproximately 8 months old.

Leopard rehabilitation can be done - and what is even more interesting is that these leopard were never taught to hunt and were never exposed to live prey prior to release.

Will keep you posted. Thanks to Douw, Kwandwe, Shamwari and staff.
Karen T

Dynamite comes in small packages

Pearl spotted owls are one of the smallest african owls but have enormous personality and attitude. This young owl was admitted to Wildcare Africa with a fractured tibia. The fracture was immobilised with external splinting and, with special care and nursing, the owl recovered rapidly and was released from a hacking cage over a four week period that enabled the owl to build up fitness.

Rhino calves - now free ranging

In 2003, Wildcare Africa had an influx of injured and orphaned rhino.By August,the centre was caring for 23 rhino - both black and white.

Tandi, a Namibian subspecies black female calf was abandoned shortly after birth at Addo National Park. Kapela, was born prematurely in Skukuza. Both were received by Wildcare as tiny newborns. Gina, a white female calf was abandoned by mom shortly after capture and relocation and joined the other two in the nursery.
After intensive nursing and lots of specialised care, the two black calves were moved to to Addo National Park when just 18 months old. Rearing continued and we are pleased to report back that both calves are now free ranging in Addo National Park. Gina was returned at 20 months to a game farm in Mpumalanga and is reportedly doing well.

Many rhino calves are orphaned during capture and translocation of rhino. With very intensive and specialised care, many of these orphans can be successfully returned to the wild.