Snare Crisis Fund

Since our last update in August, your incredible support has kept boots on the ground and veterinary teams ready 24/7. Together we have removed 60 deadly snares across multiple high-risk areas around Hoedspruit, walked more than 72 kilometres on patrol, and directly protected some of Africa’s most vulnerable wildlife.

The stories that stay with us are the ones you made possible. In late July and early August, Dr. Bart Gazendam of WildScapes Veterinary spent five exhausting days tracking a pride of nine lions after reports that two of them — an adult female and a young cub — were fighting for their lives with wire snares cutting deeply into their bodies. After failed call-ups, aggressive pride dynamics, and gusty winds that grounded the helicopter, the team finally succeeded: the female’s severe abdominal wound was cleaned and treated, and the cub’s life-threatening neck and chest injury was given urgent care. Just one week later, ground teams smiled with relief — both lions were seen moving comfortably, and the female was already hunting again. These are the second chances your donations deliver.

On the prevention front, Phase 2 of the Snare Crisis Fund is in full swing. Repeated sweeps near a critical wild dog den site (in partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust, Soldiers for Wildlife, and K9 Conservation) pulled 20 snares and exposed active poaching camps. Targeted patrols by Protrack APU around Hoedspruit town have now returned to the same dangerous zones three times, finding freshly butchered warthogs, cut cable snares where animals were taken, and even a suspicious individual who tried to hide when rangers appeared. Every patrol sends a clear message: this bush is watched, and poachers are no longer welcome.

None of this would happen without you, your generosity is turning the tide against this silent killer. Thank you for standing with us, for believing that no animal should suffer in a snare, and for giving wildlife across our region a safer tomorrow.

Over the past three months, the Snare Crisis Fund has continued its critical work to protect wildlife from the devastating impact of snares. Here are some highlights of the projects work since our last report.

A Warthog’s Rescue

WildScapes Veterinary Services reported a warthog in severe distress, with a snare tightly wrapped around its left front leg, cutting deep into the tissue down to the bone. The animal was in significant pain and could barely move. The team darted the warthog, and carefully removed the snare. They cleaned and treated the wound, administered painkillers, and gave reversal drugs to wake the warthog, which soon returned to its wild life. This operation was supported by our Snare Crisis Fund in partnerships with Down 2 The Wire, African Wildlife Vets, and Wild Wonderful World.

A Young Elephant’s Rescue

A young elephant, aged 5-7 years, was found struggling with a wire snare tightly wrapped around its trunk, causing swelling that threatened its ability to eat, drink, and breathe. Dr. Bart from WildScapes Vets, supported by helicopter pilot Gerry McDonald, conducted a 20-minute operation to dart the calf, separate it from its protective mother, and remove the snare. The snare had not caused deep wounds, allowing the calf to reunite with its herd and resume normal activity. This rescue was made possible through collaboration with our Snare Crisis Fund, Wild Wonderful World, Down 2 The Wire, Blue Sky Society Trust, and African Wildlife Vets.

Launch of Phase 2: Proactive Snare Removal

To address the indiscriminate threat of snares, we have now launched Phase 2 of the Snare Crisis Fund. This initiative involves deploying professional anti-poaching teams to sweep areas outside protected zones, removing snares before they can harm wildlife. This preventive measure complements our ongoing veterinary operations to rescue injured animals.

Snares pose a relentless threat to wildlife, causing pain and death to animals of all kinds. Every contribution is vital to sustaining these rescue and prevention efforts. Your support directly funds veterinary operations, anti-poaching sweeps, and partnerships that give animals a second chance at life in the wild.

Together, we can reduce the suffering caused by snares and protect vulnerable wildlife for future generations.