Help Animals With Emergency Medical Treatment

Our wildlife have remained well since the last report, with no major medical concerns arising. Regular monitoring has shown the herds to be strong and resilient, which is encouraging as we move into the winter season.

To prepare for the months ahead, we have taken proactive steps by bringing in extra hay and wildlife feed. This has been especially important for the zebra and wildebeest, who rely on supplementary feeding when natural grazing becomes scarce. By securing and distributing this feed early, we are helping to maintain their health and condition through the dry season.

Alongside this, we were able to rescue a little dog named Pixi from the SPCA. She had spent a long time there after being picked up wandering alone, and sadly no one had wanted her. Despite this, she has proven to be the most friendly and joyful little girl. Since coming into our care, she has received all necessary medical treatment, her inoculations, and has been sterilised to prevent more puppies eventually needing homes. With so many thousands of neglected puppies and dogs, the SPCA strives to prevent this cycle, and Pixi’s rescue is a small but meaningful step in that mission.

We also continue to teach our Environmental Ambassador Dancers about compassion for animals. They learn that kindness extends not only to wildlife but also to domestic animals, and we encourage them to seek help from the State Vet if they ever encounter an animal in need. In this way, our conservation work becomes a lesson in empathy and responsibility, nurturing future leaders who understand the importance of caring for all living beings.

These combined efforts — keeping wildlife strong through winter feeding, giving Pixi a second chance at life, and instilling compassion in the next generation — show how donor support makes a tangible difference. Together, we are safeguarding animal health, strengthening conservation, and building a more compassionate future.

The past two months, from December 2025 through February 2026, we experienced two wildlife emergencies where, despite our best efforts, we were unable to intervene in time.

It was deeply saddening to witness an impala mother calling repeatedly for her newborn calf. We had seen her tiny antelope soon after birth—it was much smaller than the other new calves, but appeared to be fine. Sadly, we later found the little one had died. There was no visible injury or cause, and we believe it may have been due to natural reasons, possibly a premature birth.

No sooner had we accepted that nature sometimes intervenes than another event occurred.

Our night watchman reported a wildebeest on the other side of our boundary on the property of the Agricultural Research Institute. She had a deeply embedded snare around her head. She was lying down, unable to stand. We immediately contacted the manager of the ARC and prepared to assist, but tragically, she had already died. While we were relieved her suffering had ended, we were deeply disturbed by the incident and concerned about the need for stronger anti-poaching measures on that property. We are arranging further meetings with the Institute to encourage improved security.

These moments remind us of the urgency and unpredictability of conservation work. While the outcomes were saddening, they have strengthened our resolve to continue helping wherever possible to prevent undue suffering. Each challenge underscores the importance of the Wildlife Emergency Fund, ensuring swift, effective future interventions.