Wildlife Conservation South Africa Project #13997

Provide food and care for our leopard for one year

by DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage

Provide food and care for our leopard for one year

Project Report | Aug 6, 2014
Rescues, Surgeries and More!!

By Daniel Coetsee | Office Assistant

He loves smiling for the camera

Dear all,

The winter chill has been in full swing, not only felt by the clothed layered humans but also by DAKTARI's most famous and elegant resident, Shiloweni. The presence of this mighty cat is felt when watching him patrol his territory; each thunderous step and piercing glare is a sharp reminder of the power this mystical African wild cat possesses. His call heard all through the night, this African prince is a spectacle of wonder for the eye that only the honored are able to witness. Despite the cold, it has done little to affect his appetite, and who can blame him! This predator needs his protein that he receives from chicken and other delicious pieces of meat.

What else at DAKTARI?

We recently received a call where it was brought to our attention that a Spotted Eagle Owl had unfortunately been found stuck in a fence. So we did what we do best "DAKTARI to the rescue!”. We went to collect the owl and found out that he was not in the best condition. We feared the worst for him. After a few days of some much needed TLC, a trip to the vet and some quality time with our two resident owls Alex and Sam we were able to release him. May he continue on his life’s journey!! It brought us great joy to see him fly off into the African sunset. Be free Owl and watch out for those fences! :)

We have some bad news and some good news regarding Erishka the mongoose. Which would you like to hear first? Ok I hear you! We'll start off with the bad news. We noticed that she was biting her own tail very badly and this was very upsetting and confusing for us. We took her to the local vet and he decided that it was best for her to have surgery to amputate her tail. We were not sure if she would be able to join our mongoose family of 10, which is soon to be released. All we could do was to wait and see how she responded. Now for the good news!! :) Since the surgery Erishka has been acting like a normal little mongoose again. Not only that but she now lives with the larger mongoose family and is due to be released with them in the near future. Well Done Erishka!

DAKTARI would like to announce that they have the most fierce and graceful soccer player from the 2014 Soccer World Cup. Introducing Shangaan the Caracal!! The volunteers came up with an innovative way to provide enrichment to the caracal by placing his food (a massive rat!) inside of a soccer ball with a slight hole, then tested his soccer skills by dangling the ball and making him chase it. Wow is he quick and powerful! Those claws can do serious damage to anything they sink themselves into. Just ask the soccer (doubt that's going to be possible) Ronaldo has nothing on our Shangaan!! Good kitty :)

Without the valuable and irreplaceable support from YOU, all of this great work done for these animals would not be possible. Give yourselves a pat on the back; we salute all you generous and gracious people for your un-doubtable kindness.

Do you know what other exciting news has happened at DAKTARI in the last 3 months? Read our Newsletter to find out al the juicy stories of what has been happening. Click he re

Looking so surprised!DAKTARI will take care of you

Be Free our Feathered Friend !!

He patrols his territory..

Baby Erishka enjoying her new look :)

Soccer star Shaangaan the Caracal

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May 13, 2014
We've had babies!

By Anne-Sophie Mathieu | Marketing Manager

Shiloweni in the big grass

Dear all,

After a very warm and rainy summer, our lovely Shiloweni found his happiness through the long grass. While he spends his time hiding we try to see him from the top of our perch. When suddenly you see a piece of tail, ear and orange spots, what a joy! Our leopard is still here with us! We would like to refresh his enclosure from its long grass but I think Shiloweni prefers it like it is now. Currently, few big pieces of meat compose his favourite meal, he really love that. Click here to watch him eat.

What else at Daktari?

We have had two adorable babies. Any guess from whom? Clues: they are little, love jumping everywhere, grey and brown color with a lovely face and long hair on their ears... It is... The Marmosets, King Kong and our Princess Leila!! These new cubs were really unexpected, what a surprise to discover them a morning! We are really happy for the parents, who seem very good with their new family life. The babies are still on their parents' back, but they started to open their eyes. They are so cute.

The Volunteers' team of DAKTARI, kitted with gloves and boots, did a good job with the crocodiles’ enclosure. The water from their pool has been completely cleaned and changed, but it seems that our two crocodiles like to live in a green water because it took them less than a week for all resoiling. To our great regret; with clear water it was easier to observe them.

After 4 years to raise baby banded mongooses, they are all grown up now. During this time, the cohabitation was not easy between all of them, they fought a lot and so we separated the mongooses into 3 small groups. But since a week, a lot of changes have occurred. Indeed we tried to move them, mixed them and finally they are all together now. It is a really good news to have 10 mongooses together because it means that we can now plan their release in the nature.

Here are the results: babies, rehabilitation and happiness of the animals. All of these good news are possible thanks to you. All DAKTARI are very grateful for your support. Please continue to help Shiloweni, the baby Marmosets and all the animals through this link: http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/provide-food-and-care-for-our-leopard-for-one-year-1/

You can also Click here to watch our teaser about Daktari’s life and the goal of our association.

Stay tuned for news stories!

Anne-Sophie Mathieu - Marketing Manager

Email me: marketing@daktaribushschool.org

Beautiful Shiloweni !!

Lovely babies Marmosets

So cute

After the big cleaning of the enclosure

Happy Mongooses!

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Feb 12, 2014
Cleaning Shiloweni's Camp!

By Amy Hulme | Marketing Manager

Shiloweni hiding in his tree

Hello to all you Leopard lovers!

Shiloweni is doing really well lately, it's Summer here in South Africa and although the weather is unbearably hot for us, Shilo is loving the long grass that has erupted in his enclosure! He is not the most sociable cat and we only really get to see the odd flick of his tail these days as he stays happily hidden amongst the foliage.

It's obvious that we love him more than he loves us! But, that also makes us very happy because in his head he is still very much a wild Leopard - and always will be.

In December, as a pre-Christmas treat we decided to give Shiloweni's camp a spring clean. This doesn't happen too often as we don't like to disturb him and leave our human scent around but it is quite a big task when it does! We secured him safely on the far side of his enclosure and got to work.

A team of 10 volunteers, kitted with gloves and buckets, combed the 2,500 square metre area and scooped up an aray of discarded bones in all shapes and sizes! Enough to almost fill the back of our pick up truck...we also found the remains of a Leopard Tortoise shell, sadly the two species are obviously not companions despite sharing the same name.

We always need more funding to ensure Shiloweni's health and happiness and our safety, if you could mention our project to your friends and family or perhaps share the link below on your facebook or twitter page that would really help us to spread the word!

Here is the link you need: http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/provide-food-and-care-for-our-leopard-for-one-year-1/

Thank you so much for your continued support of DAKTARI, our animals and particularly Shiloweni, we could not give him the happy life he deserves without you and we are forever grateful.

I hope you have enjoyed my little update and the pictures below,

All the best to you,

Amy Hulme - Marketing Manager

Email me: marketing@daktaribushschool.org

Two of the volunteers combing the camp!

Bucket of bones! Yum!

Poor left overs of a Leopard Tortoise

Our pick up truck filling up nicely!

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