Education key for merged animal sanctuary NGO

Rainbow Warriors has merged with the Darwin Primate Group (DPG) in an effort to strengthen its goal of rescuing, rehabilitating, releasing wild and feral animals, as well as abused and neglected domesticated animals.

Terence Olivier has spent some time at the DPG’s premises in Nature’s Valley, helping the primate sanctuary relocate to a Hibberdene property the Warriors have leased, where they will also hold workshops and youth camps.

Terence and DPG CEO, Karin Saks are both adamant the only way forward is to educate.

“We discussed the benefits and need to combine training to include both domesticated and wild animals and in particular the wild animals who share our communities with us,” said Terence.

Karin will relocate to Golden Valley in Hibberdene once the primates she has cared for are safe. “We are in the process of preparing proposals and motivation to apply for a permit to keep wild animals in an enclosure from Ezemvelo Wildlife KZN,” said Terence.

Operating under the ‘Dreamskills’ banner, the training lodge will offer four-day, five-night youth camps on animal care, protection and welfare, which includes pet responsibility, living with wild animals and animal abuse.

Three hour community-based workshops will focus on living with wild neighbours, pet crime, animal abuse, dog fighting and how to build a monkey-proof vegetable garden.

“We will also market the animal jobs online training programmes,” said Terence.

The training lodge, together with the Dreamskills programme, will continue to rely on sponsors, donations and public and business support to be sustainable.

“We will launch an adopt-a-scholar campaign locally through social media and community-based publications, as well as internationally.” The campaign allows for individuals, businesses or even local government to adopt a scholar to attend the animal care, protection and welfare camp.

“To assist us to repair the training lodge, which was vandalised, we have launched a ‘buy a brick and build a future’ campaign.” Individuals or companies can purchase a brick for R100. Each brick can be in a colour of the purchaser’s choice and they can dedicate that brick to a loved one or have their logo printed onto it. The brick will then be laid on a ‘gratitude wall’.

Companies can sponsor or donate materials towards the repairs to the main building at the training lodge. The following material and equipment is required: Plumbing and electrical equipment, stove, preferably gas, windows, frames, doors and building material. “We also need volunteers to help with the repairs,” said Terence.

Contact him on 073-694-7934 or email dreamskills1@live.com.