Over the past few weeks we have successfully rehabilitated 10 Lesser bushbabies (Galago moholi). They were rescued from different areas in and around Gauteng, for various reasons - all unfortunately unable to be returned to their families, despite our best efforts. Dependent on their age, they were all hand reared and introduced to natural food sources, and placed in an enclosure together.

They are now ready for the next step in their rehabilitation process and have been placed in a pre-release enclosure for their soft release process. Thank you to primary carer, Lauren Beckley, for the numerous hours dedicated to these curious patients.

We treat indigenous wildlife free of charge, relying solely on the support of our community.

Pics: Lauren Beckley & Sarah Kempen

Do you remember the two Serval (Leptailarus serval) kittens we introduced you to a few weeks ago? They were found in the Standerton area with no sign of their mother and in a very compromised state. Dr Amelia Swart of Standerton Animal Hospital stabilised them and they were transferred to our facility for treatment and rehabilitation.

They have made a full recovery and, as part of their rehabilitation process, have been introduced to natural prey items. The two young serval have recently been relocated to a pre-release enclosure in a safe reserve which offers them suitable habitat. This is where they will be slowly introduced to the area and become acclimatised to their new territory.

We treat indigenous animals free of charge, relying solely on the donations and support of our community.

Pics: Megan Berger & Dr K

Our sincere thanks to Leon and his team from LST COMS Pty Ltd for their assistance with enclosing our large tortoise paddock and for sponsoring the fence and shade cloth! We appreciate your generous donation and are relieved that the tortoises in our care have a secure area for the duration of their stay.
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We treat indigenous animals free of charge, relying solely on the donations and support of our community.

This African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) was kept illegally as a pet, and confiscated by the local SPCA. While in captivity, this little otter cub was fed the incorrect diet.
As she’s a few weeks old, the correct nutrition is critical in ensuring she grows and reaches the necessary developmental milestones. Founding member, director and rehab specialist, Nicci Wright, is a member of the IUCN Otter Specialist Group as well as the African Advisory Group. Having raised and successfully released many otters in the past, we are lucky to draw on her expertise for this cub too.
Currently, she is being fed a nutrient rich special milk formula to ensure that we can ensure she is in optimal condition. Currently, her ever growing appetite involves approximately 1.5litres of this special milk formula per day! #OneMeal costs R12. Feeding up to 8 times per day, it costs us R96 PER DAY to feed her. We’d LOVE it if you’d consider sponsoring a meal or two for this ‘otterly’ adorable patient..
Please scan to donate: https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/PXMP5766
(our other donation channels are always available here: http://www.johannesburgwildlifevet.com/make-a-donation.html)
We treat indigenous animals free of charge, relying solely on the donations and support of our community.
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Pic: Lauren Beckley

This tiny Slender mongoose (Galerella sanguinea) is currently being weaned from a milk formula and learning how to forage for food. Found on her own on the school grounds of PLG Mellow Oaks Academy, Little Falls, she was left for a significant period of time in the hope that her mother would find her. Unable to reunite her with her family, she was brought in for us to care for her, and to prepare her for her ultimate release.

Thanks to Penny Hardie for her assistance with this little mongoose.

We treat indigenous animals free of charge, relying solely on the donations and support of our community.

Pics: Sarah Kempen

This African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) is suspected to have been involved in a territorial battle: Another larger fish eagle was witnessed grabbing this fish eagle by the head, resulting in puncture wounds to his face.

Both fish eagles fell into the Vaal dam where they eventually separated and the dominant, larger fish eagle flew away. This one couldn't fly out and got stuck in some nearby reeds and was retrieved by a couple who witnessed the entire scene.

Upon admission, we examined the eagle's wounds, finding that the puncture wounds had penetrated his sinus cavities. We attended to the wounds, hydrated the eagle, and started him on a course of antibiotics. Once healed, he was ringed with a SAFRING by Craig Natrass and he was successfully released.

Our thanks to the Mogans for assisting this gorgeous eagle and being instrumental in a second chance at life.

We treat indigenous animals free of charge, relying solely on the donations and support of our community.

Johannesburg Wildlife NPC 
FNB Cheque account
Account: 62658400264
Branch Code: 255355
Swift code: FIRNZAJJ

Pics: Ashleigh Pienaar

This Serval (Leptailurus serval) was collected by the Highveld Ridge SPCA and Feral Watch TNR after he was found hiding in a pile of rubble in someone's yard. Once brought to our hospital, he was found to be severely dehydrated. Since his arrival, he is eating well and has become feistier - signs that he is feeling better. Once completely healthy and able to fend for himself, he will be released back into the wild where he belongs.
Our thanks to Highveld Ridge SPCA and Feral Watch TNR for caring for this serval and collaborating with us.
We treat indigenous animals free of charge, relying solely on the donations and support of our community.
Johannesburg Wildlife NPC 
FNB Cheque account
Account: 62658400264
Branch Code: 255355
Swift code: FIRNZAJJ

Pics: Ashleigh Pienaar

These Black-backed jackal pups (Canis mesomelas) were confiscated from kids who had dug them up from a burrow! They were subsequently taken to VulPro where they were then transferred to us to facilitate their rehabilitation journey.

Luckily, upon examination, there were no injuries, and all five are steadily growing and reaching their developmental milestones. They have a few weeks to go before the next step in their rehabilitation; a pre-release enclosure.

Johannesburg Wildlife NPC 
FNB Cheque account
Account: 62658400264
Branch Code: 255355
Swift code: FIRNZAJJ

We treat indigenous animals free of charge, relying solely on the donations and support of our community.

Pics: Sarah Kempen & Ashleigh Pienaar

As the festive season and Guy Fawkes approaches, please be mindful of the effects of fireworks on our precious wildlife!

Unexpected and unnatural loud sounds, like the bangs that are often heard from fireworks, have an adverse effect on our urban wildlife. Causing fear and disorientating animals, they often try to flee, sometimes unable to find their nests again. Birds and other small mammal parents sometimes also abandon their nests, leaving their defenceless babies behind. Animals will exhibit unusual behaviour in an attempt to escape the noise, like entering into buildings, or birds flying into windows.

Please note, the use of fireworks is regulated by bylaws under the Explosives Act, 1956. Fireworks may not be set off in any public place, for example, in parks, on the pavement or the streets. No fireworks should be set off, detonated or exploded within 200 metres of any hospital, clinic, petrol station, old-age home or nursing home, or animal welfare organisation or institution. The period in which the lighting of fireworks is allowed is from 7 pm to 10 pm.

We often have people saying that thunderstorms are also loud and scary, BUT the big difference is that a thunderstorm comes with a change in barometric pressure and animals are sensitive to this and can therefore anticipate noise to come.

HOW TO HELP:
- Remove / cover bird feeders and bird baths before lighting fireworks, hopefully discouraging birds from being in the area and ensure that no ash, debris or other firework residue lands in the feeders or water source.
- Do not use fireworks near trees, bird houses, nesting areas, rockeries, or other sheltered areas where wildlife may be living. 
- Clean up all firework residue promptly and thoroughly. The debris could contain toxic chemicals and other poisons that can harm animals that may ingest them.

If you come across any compromised wildlife, please contact us: 071 248 1514

We treat indigenous animals free of charge, relying solely on the donations and support of our community.

Pics: Ashleigh Pienaar & Sarah Kempen

We’ve spent just over a week fighting for a baby pangolin that barely stood a chance due to the harsh circumstances that she was forced to endure after she was poached and held in the illegal wildlife trade.

After being severely compromised, this little pangolin didn’t have the strength to forage for food. Tube feeding regularly meant utilising light sedation frequently which in itself is also not ideal for her compromised system. We enlisted the specialist assistance from Fourways Vet Hospital to place a peg tube - making it easier for us to ensure she received an easily digestible food. This would give her the best chance at recovering her energy levels and allowing her body to recuperate from the neglect that she had endured.

Poached pangolin often spend days, sometimes two weeks, without food or water. This places a massive strain on their systems that is often difficult to recover from. While initially we saw an improvement, this changed a day ago when her energy levels depleted once again. She was placed on a drip but succumbed to her compromised state, sadly.

The peg tube technique was a world first in the treatment of pangolins. This is a unique idea that we believe will be successful in the future and will save more compromised pangolins. It would have been successful this time, had this little pangolin not been so compromised to begin with.

Attempting to save a critically endangered species is incredibly taxing on our team - especially when we receive these elusive creatures on the brink of death. It’s even more difficult when they show signs of improvement that give us hope, which is quickly taken away when they take a turn for the worst. We’re so sorry that our attempts at a second chance of life couldn’t save you, Menina.

Thank you for the outpour of donations and support, and for following her journey and our multiple attempts to save her.

We treat indigenous animals free of charge, relying solely on the donations and support of our community.

Pic: Dr K