WATCH: Dash the Duiker rescued, relocated, and released into Kloofendal
On the morning of Saturday, 5 June, the organisation was called to Wilro Park to help rescue a duiker that had become trapped in a resident's garden.
The Roodepoort area has had their fair share of stray animals; not just dogs and cats, but wildlife too. The Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation is a non profit-organisation of which the sole aim is to save the lives or improve the living conditions of wildlife.
On the morning of Saturday, 5 June, the organisation was called to Wilro Park to help rescue a duiker that had become trapped in a resident’s garden. The Foundation believes that the duiker, which they named Dash, had come from one of the many greenbelt or nature reserve areas and became lost. “He was running along a busy road, but luckily ducked into a yard. He couldn’t have chosen a better place to hide and wait for us,” said the Foundation’s founder, Paul Oxton.
When the Wild Heart team reached the terrified duiker, they also noticed that he had injured himself – one of Dash’s hind legs was bleeding profusely from a cut he had sustained on his journey. Taking immense care, Wild Heart’s vet darted Dash so the team could attend to him and move him safely. “Adult duikers almost always need to be darted,” explained Carina Crayton, co-founder of the organisation. “Even sedated, they are incredibly strong and wild. We had our work cut out for us holding him,” she continued.
Watch his full rescue, treatment, relocation and release here:
Wine corks were used to cap Dash’s horns and prevent any accidental injuries while he was being carried. Dash’s wound was expertly cleaned and stitched up before his sedation was reversed, and he was injected with antibiotics and pain medication. The sedation also needed to be reversed before Dash was transported. “Antelope preferably need to be fully aware and awake before they can be transported,” continued Paul. Dash used his time in the crate to make sure he was as aware as possible, and when he arrived at his new home, the Kloofendal Nature Reserve, he was anxious to go exploring. Paul and Carina recall the transport crate rocking like something out of Jurassic Park because of how ready Dash was to be set free.
The moment the crate door opened, Dash sped away, ready to spend the rest of his life in the beautiful environment of Kloofendal, which is also home to several other duiker antelopes.
The Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation is pleading to residents not to kill any wildlife they may find. Simply call the organisation and they will safely remove each animal. As a non-profit, they rely on donations to do their day-to-day work. Veterinarians are famously expensive, so Wild Heart is asking for any assistance to pay Dash’s vet bill.
Any donation, no matter how big or small will help. The Foundation works throughout South Africa to help wildlife most at risk, and by simply visiting their website (www.wildheartwildlifefoundation.org), you can see the animals they have helped, from as small as a monkey to as large as a rhino. Their PayPal, PayFast and banking details can be found on their website for any donations you are willing to give.
The Foundation can be contacted by sending a WhatsApp to 083 588 3550, calling 072 478 1808 or emailing https://www.wildheartwildlifefoundation.org/.
