| Sun 22 June 2008 19:49:21 - Diary by Louise Jackal pups born On a bush walk this weekend I discovered the den of a jackal pair that has produced a litter of pups. The female is still not leaving the den which means the pups are very small and have probably just been born. The male leaves the den to return with food that is given to the female. A warthog piglet was brought while we were observing the den and this is to be expected especially now that many piglets are dying as a result of the drought. After the male disappeared again I could see some rabbit remains, guinea fowl feathers, remains of a tortoise shell and other unidentified bones. It would have been quite interesting to observe them over a period of time. |
| Sun 22 June 2008 19:43:02 - Diary by Andre Crazy elephant days We have been having great days with our elephants. During the dry season they have proved to be a big help to other animals in the reserve by pushing over trees and by doing so, creating many other feeding opportunities for the other animals like kudu and impala. It is quite amazing to see other animals following the herd of elephants to benefit from the branches, leaves and pods left behind by the elephants. Last night they completely changed the view around the office and rehab centre by modelling the bush to their liking. |
| Fri 13 June 2008 17:49:18 - Diary by Louise Radio interview Today I had the pleasure of being interviewed by a radio journalist called Gretchen. She was doing a story on government's decision to end the moratorium on elephant culling. This subject has been given a lot of coverage recently in the international media, but in order for the global community to understand why this decision was taken it is necessary to understand the ATTITUDE prevailing in South Africa towards wild animals. Attitude makes on 100% of the problems facing wildlife in South Africa. Sadly commercial value is placed on every single wild animal in South Africa (if we like it or not) and this commercial value is what is truly driving the decisions that is made in relation to how me manage wildlife in our country – especially for those animals that are commercially viable and in demand. It is no longer about true conservation or protection - it is all about making money. That is why canned hunting will grow to include all other predatory species and commercially viable species such as rhinos, elephants, sable, roan, tsessebe, cheetah and wild dogs. While money remains to overriding factor, true conservation principle will not be applied and our wildlife will continue to be exploited with the approval of our conservation authorities and government. While permission is granted to sell off week old cheetah cubs on a private game auction and while auctioneers are willing to auction off these vulnerable creatures to the highest bidder and while the authorities will continue to turn a blind eye the exploitation will continue unchallenged. If the welfare of week old cubs is not the overriding priority to those involved we stand to be shamed as a nation. I truly hope that this interview will help to clarify the status quo to the international community and that eventually pressure from the global communities will force us to apply serious conservation principles in our management decisions relating to wildlife. |
| Fri 13 June 2008 17:32:20 - Diary by Rebecca Nicke my child! For the 1st time in my life I have been helping to raise and care for a baby vervet monkey. I have seen many of them in the wild and have always enjoyed seeing them, but I never really cared to know more about them. I also did not realize how clever they are. When Nicke arrived he was very badly burnt and my initial feelings for him was purely pity. I could see that he felt a lot of pain and like any human child did not want to eat as he was not feeling well. He was initially very scared of all of us and screamed every time we approached him. However for him to heal properly it was necessary to change bandages and dress the horrible burn wounds the best we could. Ms. Louise did this as I do not know how to do it and what to do, but as time passed I got to really love this little animal and he also got to love me. He changed as the wounds healed; as the pain got less his mischievous side started showing and I realized how clever he is. Now he is almost fully healed and I know he has to go to join the other vervet monkeys to return to the wild, but I will greatly miss my child Nicke. His calling for treats, his cute brown eyes and little hands held out to me to pick him up. My heart is sore, but Nicke has to return to where he belongs, with his own kind. |
| Fri 13 June 2008 17:24:00 - Diary by Zagaria Rhino and bushpig Boytjie and Bossie have turned into best of mates. It is quite amusing to see how much the white rhino calf and orphaned bush pig had come to like each other since they were put together in the same holding camp. The rhino at times follow the bush pig all over and if the bush pig ventures off to far, the young rhino charges towards it. During the last couple of weeks, it has become very cold indeed and when the young rhino lies down in the sun to warm up, the young bush pig contentedly makes itself at home lying next to the rhino preferring to crawl right onto the stomach between its back legs. This is very funny to see. |
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Louise Joubert
"I am the founder trustee and run the rehab centre and wildlife emergency rescues".
Andre Grobler
"I am a SanWild trustee and am responsible for the resource management of the wildlife reserve and the anti-poaching units".
Yolandie Pienaar
"I am the resident chef in Savannah Bush Camp and also help with admin duties in the office".
Zagaria Olifant
"I have worked at SanWild for 5 years taking care of injured and orphaned animals and ensuring the rehab centre is kept clean and tidy".
Rebecca Molamella
"My name is Rebecca and I started working at SanWild as a general cleaner but now I am in charge of housekeeping and also help to look after and feed injured and orphaned wild animals".