LET’S GIVE INJURED AND SICK WILDLIFE A SECOND CHANCE

Wild Tomorrow and FreeMe Wildlife are partnering to create a brand new wildlife rehabilitation centre on Wild Tomorrow’s protected land in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

The centre will focus on protecting the often-overlooked smaller endangered species like servals, caracals, bush babies, and birds of prey like vultures, eagles and owls. While larger species like rhinos benefit from established centers in the area, smaller vulnerable species are left without local sanctuaries.

This facility would not only be a lifeline for countless struggling species, but it would provide invaluable insights into these species, potentially contributing to groundbreaking research. And importantly, it would empower the local community, offering hands-on training, education, and a chance to become champions for the wildlife that shares their home.

Creating this wildlife rehabilitation centre will help preserve the fragile balance of nature, and to inspire future generations to treasure and protect the wild heart of Zululand. We hope you agree that this is an important project to support.

Wildlife rehabilitation centres exist to address human-caused illnesses and injuries on wild animals. It’s a sobering statistic that in the last 50 years, over 80% of biodiversity on earth has been lost. Habitat loss is the primary causes of our planet’s biodiversity decline.

With such small populations of wildlife remaining, every individual’s life matters. This is no more acute than with vultures who are declining at staggering rates due to direct and indirect poisonings. 

INFRASTRUCTURE
Vehicle collisions are a leading cause of wildlife injuries, affecting reptiles, birds, and mammals. Injuries range from concussions to severe fractures. Power lines and transformers cause burns and fractures, and electrocutions pose a significant threat. 

AGRICULTURE
Fences, especially barbed wire, trap wildlife, with birds like owls frequently caught. Servals, caracals, and jackals face shooting, poisoning, or trapping, while species like porcupines and monkeys are also targeted. Insecticides and rodenticides poison birds, bats, snakes, and small mammals, disrupting ecosystems. 

INTRODUCED SPECIES
Domesticated cats and dogs greatly harm wildlife by often preying on small wild mammals and birds. The impact of these pets on biodiversity is substantial, with well-documented cases showing their destructive effects on vulnerable wildlife populations.

POLLUTION
Birds entangled in twine, line, and strips of plastic get stuck in trees, or lose limbs when the plastic constricts legs, feet, and toes. The accidental ingestion of plastic waste has also resulted in birds and small mammals being admitted.

DIRECT PERSECUTION
Wildlife faces not only indirect threats from humans but also direct harm. Gunshot injuries are common among small predators and birds of prey. Poaching, snaring, and dog hunting leave many animals injured or orphaned, with only the lucky ones reaching rehabilitation.

At the heart of the wildlife rehabilitation centre will be the protection of our planet’s most vulnerable creatures — those small to medium-sized species who often go unnoticed but whose survival is critical to the balance of nature.

SMALL PREDATORS
The centre will open its arms to small predators like servals, caracals, jackals, genets, mongooses, bush babies, and otters — who each play an irreplaceable role in their ecosystems.

ANTELOPE AND GAME
We will provide a second chance for antelope and game species, including zebra, wildebeest, kudu, and bushbuck. Other remarkable species, like bushpig, warthog, aardvark and scrub hare will be offered care, alongside the extraordinarily rare pangolin — the world’s most trafficked animal.

BIRDS
Majestic birds like vultures, eagles, and owls will be treated at the centre, as will ground hornbills, marabou storks, herons, ibis’, and bustards.

REPTILES
Many species in our region, like the leopard tortoise, hinged tortoise, Nile crocodile, and Southern African pythons face immense threats in the wild. Even the smaller, more delicate species like chameleons are declining due to the illegal wildlife trade.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Wild Tomorrow secured a parcel of land that came with existing infrastructures. These buildings, once outfitted, will be perfect for the wildlife rehabilitation centre, and Wild Tomorrow’s surrounding 4,000 acre reserve is ideal for releasing animals once they are healthy. The buildings will be outfitted to provide the following facilities:

CLINIC: There will be an examination and treatment room, neonate ICU, administration hub, quarantine facility and various care and treatment sections. Added to this will be a laundry, kitchen, and food storage room.

RECOVERY ENCLOSURES: Four hectares surrounding the buildings will be used to erect outdoor recovery enclosures and camps. There will be a variety of enclosures, each servicing different species such as birds of prey, small mammals, predators, antelope and game.

STAFF ACCOMMODATION: Staff will live on site as the centre will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

WORKSHOP AND STORAGE BUILDINGS: Small tools and equipment will need to be safely stored on site.

RUNNING COSTS

Running the wildlife rehabilitation centre will include medical supplies, electronics like laptops, staff salaries, wildlife food and utilities.

We hope you agree that this is a vitally important project to support. Your donation will be greatly appreciated.