FreeMe Wildlife expands into Zululand with new rehabilitation centre

FreeMe Wildlife developing Zululand rehabilitation centre to rescue injured and orphaned indigenous animals, birds.

6 hours ago

Tamlyn Cramer 3 minutes read

FreeMe Wildlife CEO Wade Whitehead bottle-feeding one of five side-striped jackal pups being cared for on-site

To meet the demanding needs of wildlife rehabilitation in KZN, FreeMe Wildlife will soon be fully operational in the Zululand region.

The Howick-based wildlife rehabilitation facility was founded in 2007 and the NPO has recently partnered with Wild Tomorrow to secure land for its Hluhluwe centre.

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While there is still significant work to be undertaken before the FreeMe Wildlife Zululand Rehabilitation Centre is fully operational, it is already registered and permitted to take in all indigenous mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and even invertebrates.

The Zululand centre is located within Wild Tomorrow’s Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve on the D554 just outside Hluhluwe, on the R22 Sodwana Bay road.

“FreeMe Wildlife’s focus on wildlife rehabilitation and Wild Tomorrow’s focus on habitat restoration go hand in hand,” said the organisation.

“The Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve is site to an active rewilding project where Wild Tomorrow is protecting, restoring and reconnecting habitat to create a wildlife corridor that will benefit the region’s many threatened species, including elephants, rhinos, giraffe and leopard, plus smaller but equally important and unique species, including the dwarf suni antelope, servals, moles, pangolins, tortoises, otters and over 420 bird species, from pygmy kingfishers to vultures.

“FreeMe Wildlife has extensive experience in treating injured and orphaned indigenous animals and birds at its existing facility in Howick, and specialises in endangered, threatened and protected species.”

The Zululand addition to FreeMe Wildlife highlights the critical need for a wildlife rehabilitation facility in the Zululand region, which is home to a vast array of protected species.

First releases

Five banded mongooses and three barn owls are among the releases that have already taken place on site, while rescues by the Zululand facility include two orphaned spotted eagle owls from KwaMbonambi and Pongola respectively.

A scrub hare leveret and five side-striped jackal pups are being cared for on the property.

Progress

The centre is being developed on the site of a former pineapple farm, with the pineapple fields being restored to their original indigenous environment.

“The centre’s facilities will include specialised rehabilitation spaces and equipment, a quarantine facility, recovery enclosures designed to encourage natural behaviours, an office block and staff accommodation,” said FreeMe Wildlife.

Seed capital has funded the double buffer perimeter fence, the purchasing of two vehicles, tools and equipment, and the rebuilding of old buildings on the property.

Businesses and individuals have become involved through donations of brush cutters, materials for roads and building, water tanks, among others.

“Furthermore, local farmer Hennie Badenhorst and Wild Tomorrow have helped supply machinery and staff to clear and level land,” said the NPO.

The goal is to have a temporary clinic, multi-purpose recovery cages and office facilities up and running by the end of the year, and be able to begin taking wildlife rescue cases on a restricted scale.

“The facility will start off as a stabilisation facility until it is fully functional, with certain patients still needing to be transferred to the Midlands facility for more intensive, long-term care.”

FreeMe Wildlife Zululand still needs help from the public to reach its goals.

“We are looking for assistance with building materials, office equipment – especially a printer – clinic equipment, and funding that will go into a dedicated account earmarked for the development of the Zululand centre.

“Prospective donors and sponsors are welcome to contact us on admin2@freemewildlife.org or 082 0809567 to visit the centre to establish what they can do to help.”

Donors are reminded that FreeMe Wildlife is a registered PBO with Sars, meaning donors can claim up to 10% tax back.

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