Not just another veterinary facility
The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital (JWVH) is a registered non-profit organisation dedicated to the rescue, treatment, rehabilitation, and release of indigenous South African wildlife. Based in Midrand, Gauteng, JWVH is the only facility in the country that combines a fully equipped veterinary hospital with a dedicated wildlife rehabilitation centre - allowing every patient, from pangolins to porcupines, the best possible chance of returning to the wild.
Our Mission
To provide expert veterinary care to sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife - free of charge to the public - while advancing wildlife medicine, rehabilitation science, and conservation awareness across Southern Africa.
Our Work
Each year, hundreds of wild animals pass through our doors - birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals representing more than 140 species so far in 2025.
Key highlights from 2025 include:
- Landmark repatriation of 57 reptiles confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade, released into protected habitats across multiple provinces - a first for South Africa.
- The “Return of the Genets” urban wildlife initiative with Cedar Lakes Estate, which has reintroduced 48 animals of 14 species into a safe, purpose-designed suburban habitat.
- The first releases within the Egoli Granite Grasslands restoration project in partnership with DSM-Firmenich and Marc Sherratt Sustainability Architects.
- Pangolin rehabilitation and research - including collaboration with national and international scientists to improve diagnostic imaging, anatomy, and husbandry protocols for this threatened species.
Education, Research and Collaboration
JWVH actively contributes to academic research and postgraduate supervision.
Current collaborations include:
- MSc and PhD research projects with Universities of Pretoria, Johannesburg, Potchefstroom and the Witwatersrand.
- The SANBI/GEF7 global DNA mapping project, with over 120 DNA samples contributed this trimester for wildlife forensic use.
- Specialist studies on the anatomy, vision and physiology of pangolins, tortoises, and other native species.
The hospital also hosted:
- 121 internship students from universities worldwide,
- 12 SANParks Junior Honorary Rangers, and
- Presentations at multiple conferences, including SYMCO and the Colloquium on Animal Law and Protection.
Dr Karin Lourens and her team are committed to skills exchange and capacity building across Africa, including recent veterinary collaboration at Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary in Liberia.
Legal and Conservation Advocacy
JWVH provides expert testimony and evidence in criminal cases relating to wildlife trade and cruelty. This trimester, the hospital collaborated on seven new court cases and secured five successful convictions (with another 60 cases still active and ongoing). These legal outcomes strengthen national efforts against poaching and illegal captivity of South Africa wildlife
Sustainability and Support
Our work depends entirely on donations, grants, and corporate partnerships. Regular donors, schools, small businesses, and compassionate individuals help sustain our mission - we are a public benefit organisation and all donations are tax deductible.
Current fundraising priorities include:
- Monthly operational costs,
- Vehicle and fuel sponsorships for rescues and releases,
- New enclosures and medical equipment, and
- The establishment of a permanent property - with the aid a trust created just for this project.
Contact & Involvement
Every contribution - whether financial, material, or through volunteering—helps wildlife get a second chance at freedom.
If you would like find out a bit more about how you can help, please send an email to Dr K at [email protected]
Our Mission
To provide expert veterinary care to sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife - free of charge to the public - while advancing wildlife medicine, rehabilitation science, and conservation awareness across Southern Africa.
Our Work
Each year, hundreds of wild animals pass through our doors - birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals representing more than 140 species so far in 2025.
Key highlights from 2025 include:
- Landmark repatriation of 57 reptiles confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade, released into protected habitats across multiple provinces - a first for South Africa.
- The “Return of the Genets” urban wildlife initiative with Cedar Lakes Estate, which has reintroduced 48 animals of 14 species into a safe, purpose-designed suburban habitat.
- The first releases within the Egoli Granite Grasslands restoration project in partnership with DSM-Firmenich and Marc Sherratt Sustainability Architects.
- Pangolin rehabilitation and research - including collaboration with national and international scientists to improve diagnostic imaging, anatomy, and husbandry protocols for this threatened species.
Education, Research and Collaboration
JWVH actively contributes to academic research and postgraduate supervision.
Current collaborations include:
- MSc and PhD research projects with Universities of Pretoria, Johannesburg, Potchefstroom and the Witwatersrand.
- The SANBI/GEF7 global DNA mapping project, with over 120 DNA samples contributed this trimester for wildlife forensic use.
- Specialist studies on the anatomy, vision and physiology of pangolins, tortoises, and other native species.
The hospital also hosted:
- 121 internship students from universities worldwide,
- 12 SANParks Junior Honorary Rangers, and
- Presentations at multiple conferences, including SYMCO and the Colloquium on Animal Law and Protection.
Dr Karin Lourens and her team are committed to skills exchange and capacity building across Africa, including recent veterinary collaboration at Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary in Liberia.
Legal and Conservation Advocacy
JWVH provides expert testimony and evidence in criminal cases relating to wildlife trade and cruelty. This trimester, the hospital collaborated on seven new court cases and secured five successful convictions (with another 60 cases still active and ongoing). These legal outcomes strengthen national efforts against poaching and illegal captivity of South Africa wildlife
Sustainability and Support
Our work depends entirely on donations, grants, and corporate partnerships. Regular donors, schools, small businesses, and compassionate individuals help sustain our mission - we are a public benefit organisation and all donations are tax deductible.
Current fundraising priorities include:
- Monthly operational costs,
- Vehicle and fuel sponsorships for rescues and releases,
- New enclosures and medical equipment, and
- The establishment of a permanent property - with the aid a trust created just for this project.
Contact & Involvement
Every contribution - whether financial, material, or through volunteering—helps wildlife get a second chance at freedom.
If you would like find out a bit more about how you can help, please send an email to Dr K at [email protected]
Meet The DIRECTORS
Dr Karin Lourens
Dr Karin Lourens is the co-founder and head veterinarian of the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital (JWVH) - a pioneering non-profit facility in South Africa dedicated to the treatment, rehabilitation, and release of indigenous wildlife. She qualified as a veterinarian at the University of Pretoria in 2002 and began her career in small-animal practice before turning her focus to wildlife medicine in 2010.
Recognising the lack of specialised care for small and medium-sized wild species, Dr Lourens established JWVH in 2017 as the first combined wildlife hospital and rehabilitation centre in the country. Under her leadership, the hospital has treated thousands of wild patients - ranging from pangolins and genets to tortoises, owls, and servals - free of charge to the public, while also providing critical data for conservation research and law enforcement.
Her master’s degree in Veterinary Science (cum laude) focused on clinical pathology in Temminck’s pangolin (Smutsia temminckii), and her published research established the first haematology and serum chemistry reference intervals for this species. Dr Lourens is also the co-author of Chapter 29, “Veterinary Health of Pangolins,” in Pangolins: Science, Society and Conservation (IUCN, 2020). She serves on the IUCN Pangolin Specialist Group and the IUCN Small Carnivore Specialist Group, and is recognised as one of the world’s most experienced veterinarians working with Temminck’s pangolins.
Beyond her clinical work, Dr Lourens is a passionate educator and advocate, mentoring students, assisting law-enforcement agencies with wildlife-crime prosecutions, and developing evidence-based protocols that are transforming the standard of wildlife medicine across Southern Africa. Her current goal is to expand JWVH into a teaching facility for veterinary students and nurses specialising in indigenous wildlife care.
Dr Karin Lourens is the co-founder and head veterinarian of the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital (JWVH) - a pioneering non-profit facility in South Africa dedicated to the treatment, rehabilitation, and release of indigenous wildlife. She qualified as a veterinarian at the University of Pretoria in 2002 and began her career in small-animal practice before turning her focus to wildlife medicine in 2010.
Recognising the lack of specialised care for small and medium-sized wild species, Dr Lourens established JWVH in 2017 as the first combined wildlife hospital and rehabilitation centre in the country. Under her leadership, the hospital has treated thousands of wild patients - ranging from pangolins and genets to tortoises, owls, and servals - free of charge to the public, while also providing critical data for conservation research and law enforcement.
Her master’s degree in Veterinary Science (cum laude) focused on clinical pathology in Temminck’s pangolin (Smutsia temminckii), and her published research established the first haematology and serum chemistry reference intervals for this species. Dr Lourens is also the co-author of Chapter 29, “Veterinary Health of Pangolins,” in Pangolins: Science, Society and Conservation (IUCN, 2020). She serves on the IUCN Pangolin Specialist Group and the IUCN Small Carnivore Specialist Group, and is recognised as one of the world’s most experienced veterinarians working with Temminck’s pangolins.
Beyond her clinical work, Dr Lourens is a passionate educator and advocate, mentoring students, assisting law-enforcement agencies with wildlife-crime prosecutions, and developing evidence-based protocols that are transforming the standard of wildlife medicine across Southern Africa. Her current goal is to expand JWVH into a teaching facility for veterinary students and nurses specialising in indigenous wildlife care.
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We are thrilled with news from the esteemed Worldwide Vets organisation: Dr Karin Lourens made us proud with her Golden Star Award nomination. Amongst other vets from all parts of the world, her efforts to save and rehabilitate wildlife are raising the bar and making a difference in the lives of animals.
Conservation is not just an act of love for animals but a critical part of saving the natural world for future generations. Big and small animals are important, but Dr K has a passion for smaller and sometimes unique species. She has gathered admiration for her work, especially the rare and enigmatic pangolins, and is generating awareness for the veterinary community with her following and advocacy of wildlife. Together with other Star Award nominees and winners, the spotlight is on the efforts and sometimes unseen bravery that contributes to keeping our beautiful natural animal kingdom free from extinction and full of happy animals in their wild habitat. “The secret world of smaller wild creatures is often overlooked while people champion larger, more enigmatic animals like elephants and rhinos. I wanted to highlight the importance of saving animals like, e.g. snakes, bats, owls, serval, and one of my favourite animals, the pangolin, to name but a few.” - Dr Karin Lourens |
Wendy Willson
After finishing University Wendy’s passion for fighting animal crime has seen her in the ranks of the South African Police Force, in the field of conservation and as the founder and manager of the NSPCA Special Investigations Unit, which focused primarily on detection, interception and prosecution of premeditated acts of animal cruelty and organised criminal activities such as Dog Fighting. Wendy has had the opportunity to be involved in animal conservation and crime prevention in many different countries and has spoken on multiple national and international platforms on subjects such as prosecution of animal crime, the human/animal crime interface, violence against humans and animals, and animal welfare. Wendy was the 2018 recipient of the Woman in Law Enforcement Award of Heroism for her dedication and acts of bravery in the combating of violent animal crime.
Wendy joined the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital in 2022 as their operations and legal lead. She has many years’ experience in managing wildlife in a captive setting and brings with her a wealth of knowledge, with a special interest in the nutrition of African species. She also heads up JWVH’s recent undertaking to pursue legal recourse for all the under represented wild animal species who had been victims of crime. She has already achieved remarkable results in court to ensure that the risk of engaging in illegal activities and premeditated cruelty (with these species) outweighs the reward.
Elna Pretorius
In 2008 Elna co-founded Columinate, the first digital market research agency in South Africa. In 2018, the company was acquired by Human8 and at the time of sale, the company was one of the biggest market research companies in the country, employing over 50 people. A research psychologist by training, Elna is highly skilled in managing client relationships, sales, marketing, branding and people. She is also passionate about PR, people development and enjoys developing strategies for companies. “Retired” at age 34 and with a list of accolades and awards in the bag, Elna lends her skills part-time to select NPOs. She served on the Gauteng EXCO board for Reach for a Dream and delivered their 2023 strategy pro bono. As the latest director of Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital she hopes to lend her business expertise to the Hospital to facilitate growth and expansion for the ambitious team. She also hopes she will one day be able to spell “veterinary” without using her spell checker.
In 2008 Elna co-founded Columinate, the first digital market research agency in South Africa. In 2018, the company was acquired by Human8 and at the time of sale, the company was one of the biggest market research companies in the country, employing over 50 people. A research psychologist by training, Elna is highly skilled in managing client relationships, sales, marketing, branding and people. She is also passionate about PR, people development and enjoys developing strategies for companies. “Retired” at age 34 and with a list of accolades and awards in the bag, Elna lends her skills part-time to select NPOs. She served on the Gauteng EXCO board for Reach for a Dream and delivered their 2023 strategy pro bono. As the latest director of Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital she hopes to lend her business expertise to the Hospital to facilitate growth and expansion for the ambitious team. She also hopes she will one day be able to spell “veterinary” without using her spell checker.
All treatment of wildlife is free of charge and we rely solely on the support of our community and corporate sponsors.
PLEASE SUPPORT US AND HELP US KEEP WILDLIFE WILD!
PLEASE SUPPORT US AND HELP US KEEP WILDLIFE WILD!
