Baby genet rescued in Salt Rock

While gardeners were clearing the thicket behind the Salt Rock municipal offices last week, they came across a family of what they thought were a type of cat.

The contractor phoned Chrissie Jackson – a cat rescue lady. She however recognised them as genets and contacted the mom of all abandoned wildlings, Karen Zastron in Ballito.

One of the little ones was injured.

Ballito Veterinary Hospital’s Dr Louis Gouws found the injured baby had a fractured skull and it unfortunately only survived a couple of hours.

Zastron said the healthy baby brother, a roughly one-month-old genet, was quite panicked and wouldn’t take to a bottle for the first 24 hours in his new foster home, but luckily that changed.

“He is now taking around 90ml of evaporated milk mix a day and is showing interest in solid food too.”

With some food in his belly, his personality started to show too.

“He is incredibly playful, a real little live-wire and interacts with the baby duiker that I am fostering at the moment. He loves physical contact and cuddling.”

Once he is strong enough, he will be moved to another home, possibly in Zimbali, where he will have his final stages of rehabilitation and will slowly be introduced to the wild again.

>>  Ready to say ‘I Do’ on the Dolphin Coast? Meet the team ready to advise, help and deliver on your big day.

>>  Visit our Education feature for a collection of all the best schools, tutoring systems, and even some colleges and training facilities on the North Coast.

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.

Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join us on BBM at 59015786
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram