Support Scales' Conservation Mission

Thank you for standing with us. Since our last update, your support has helped pangolins recover and return to the wild, wildlife freed from snares, and many little lives cared for at Kogelberg. We can't wait to share a few of the stories you've helped make possible.

For our pangolins, it has been a season of real progress. Kuru, the little male who arrived in critical condition after being confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade, is now feeding entirely on his own and has been declared ready for release, with final preparations underway at Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre. Dory, who was rescued heavily pregnant and badly emaciated during an extraordinary day of three sting operations, has entered her soft release and is gaining weight steadily as she settles into her new territory. Nemo, who was held captive by poachers for around ten days, has put on 3kg since his release and is thriving so well that his tracking tags may soon come off. Just this month, Lotti and Denny joined the story after being recovered from the trade. Denny has already moved out of ICU and into rehabilitation alongside Lotti, which is a wonderful sign.

Out in the field, your support helped our Snare Crisis Fund and its partners respond quickly when it mattered most. A young elephant calf of about one year old was found with a tight snare around his neck. With helicopter support, the WildScapes Veterinary Services team safely immobilised him, removed the snare, treated his wounds and returned him to his mother. He will always have a limp from an old injury, but he now has a much better chance at a normal wild life. An adult waterbuck bull with a deep snare wound around his head was also treated, and the team is hopeful of his recovery. After floods kept patrols out of many areas for months, snares built up, so this work is more important than ever.

At Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue Centre, small lives were given big care. Two feisty honey badger cubs, Bonnie and Clyde, bonded like old friends and are now growing stronger together, with their fearless, people avoiding attitudes promising signs for a future release. A shy duiker recovered from its wounds and was released back into the wild, an endangered Western Leopard Toad with a broken leg is being kept as still as possible while he heals, and two Spotted Eagle Owlets that couldn't return to their vandalised nest are now being raised with the aim of flying free one day. Because this campaign supports all of our partner projects, your gift has helped pangolins, snared wildlife and Kogelberg's rescues alike. Thank you for making every one of these second chances possible.

Scales Conservation Fund Team