By Janet Anne Cuthbertson | Project leader
We are pleased that This year, to date, we have had no medical emergencies!
Last year was daunting with various medical emergencies for our wildlife and we were saddened every time to see suffering and extremely grateful for all the support that helped the wild. The saddest day was when, notwithstanding a number of weeks of intensive treatment, our darling zebra, Tammy did not survive her leg wound and she had to be euthanized. Her mate, Milky Way mourned her incessantly for weeks calling her and moving around the place under a marula tree where we had buried her.
Our most surprising moment was that our appeal to assist us to buy a mate for MilkyWay, was fully funded! We have named the female "Pretty Girl" as she is dainty in appearance with a delicate-looking face. Her relocation to our reserve was delayed because the landowner decided to sell her together with her friend and the two zebra are now to join MilkyWay and his other mate.
In the meantime, "Flower Patch" our previously orphaned wildebeest is now a proud mother. Being cautious, we decided to wait for the little gnu (the Khoisan name for wildebeest) to mature as the zebra that are to be brought in are not used to wildebeest. They may be a risk to the new baby if they chase or hurt her. Therefore, we will be patient, while she develops and grows, but we hope to bring Pretty Girl and her friend in before the end of March.
They will be moved by being immobilized or sedated and a Vet will be in attendance during the translocation.
With the heavy rains our Biodiversity is flourishing with many insects that are beneficial, but some are bothersome, Luckily the wildlife does not succumb to Nagana/ sleeping sickness that is carried by the Tsetse fly and is now prevalent in our area (A number of domestic dogs have been infected in the False Bay vicinity) Mosquitoes are also now very active but the wild seem to also be immune to them although heartworm can be transmitted by mosquitoes it is not often found in South Africa.
To keep & maintain the prime condition and health of all our wildlife we bring fresh hay and game pellets into the Reserve a number of times each week. The best way to keep our wild healthy is to ensure that their food choices are adequate. We therefore also keep the grazing areas well managed although most of our wild are browsers, unlike the zebra and wildebeest that only graze grass.
At all times should any of our wild require medical attention we will not hesitate to contact our Local veterinarian, Dr. Mike Toft.
Finally, an important project remains, to develop the medical treatment Boma with stables, which we have planned, to enable us to assist in a protected area, any orphaned or injured animal. We would greatly appreciate your support for this project.
Thank you all for caring and for what you have done to help prevent the wild from suffering when injured!
By Janet Anne Cuthbertson | Project leader
By Janet Anne Cuthbertson | Project leader
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