Donation to greatly assist in rehabilitating hurt wildlife
A donation of R10 000 and twenty wire locker cages from Emnotweni Casino last Thursday had Deidré Joubert and the volunteers of Wild and Free Rehabilitation Centre excitedly making plans for expanding and improving the centre's facilities and equipment.
HECTORSPRUIT – Wild and Free Rehabilitation Centre’s volunteers were very excited to receive a donation of R10 000 and twenty wire locker cages from Emnotweni Casino last Thursday. This will greatly assist in their efforts to rehabilitate and release more wildlife in the area.
Emnotweni Casino’s complex general manager, Adam MacIntyre and his executive secretary, Louise Botes, learned about Wild and Free during their search for a local organisation to support as part of their corporate social investment initiatives.
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An acquaintance of Louise’s had recently read about Wild and Free in the Corridor Gazette and recommended them. The duo from Emnotweni then visited the centre and was impressed with their work. They chatted to Deidré about what she needed and realised that old wire lockers they had recently replaced and were planning to remove from the premises could be recycled to fit her purposes.
Upon their visit last Thursday to hand over the cages and the cheque, Deidré explained, with great joy and thankfulness, that she would be using the money to buy an anaesthesia machine.
As they receive animals that are sometimes badly injured and need surgery, the machine will help them sedate the animals to prevent further pain and trauma during the treatment. It will also help cut down on the centre’s costs, as they won’t have to transport the animals to veterinarians. “Instead we will be able to spend the money on things like enclosures, feed and other necessities,” Deidre said.
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She, along with a few of the volunteers, has been trained in basic wildlife rehabilitation and several treatment measures and procedures, but are assisted by local vets and veterinary nurses when she comes across critical injuries.
The centre will also host two courses on wildlife rehabilitation and treatment in June. Interested parties can contact Deidre on 079-988-5748 for enquiries and bookings.
Deidré mentioned that the centre is always in need of antiseptic surface cleaners and bandages as the centre uses these on a daily basis.
Deidré was also extremely grateful for the donation of the cages, as similar ones are usually very expensive. They will be modified for use as clinic cages to hold some of the smaller animals while they are being treated.
She was very excited about the cages, as this will enable them to give the animals more effective treatment and keep them safer and more comfortable during their stay at the centre. She will also be able to use it as an intensive care unit and quarantine area.
During the handover, MacIntyre and Botes said they were very happy to assist the centre’s invaluable work and have taken a keen interest in it. They aim to keep in touch with Deidré and assist where they can.
To keep up with the centre’s activities and arrivals, visit the Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Facebook page.
