Page 26 - Fourways Gardens Issue 9 October 2023

Estate News

FREE WILDLIFE: WE RESCUE, REHABILITATE

AND RELEASE ANIMALS IN NEED

F riends of Free Wildlife (FFW), also

known simply as Free Wildlife, is a
organisation
registered
non-profit
and public benefit organisation (PBO)
dedicated to rehabilitating compromised
urban indigenous wildlife.
We operate under a permit granted by the
Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural
Development and we are sanctioned by the
NSPCA. We have a wide network of experts
across the country collaborating with us to
rescue, rehabilitate and release wildlife.

We provide specialised care for wildlife that
are injured, sick, orphaned or affected by
habitat loss. Free Wildlife works to ensure
their wellbeing, recovery and, ultimately, their
release back into the wild.

We have an amazing team of dedicated,
passionate staff and volunteers who go above
and beyond the call of duty for the wildlife
in our care. We rely solely on the generous
support of our sponsors and donors. Together,
we can safeguard our precious wildlife.

Have you found any wildlife that you’re
concerned about? Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Observe the animal carefully. If it looks
injured or unwell, contact Free Wildlife for
advice and the next step.

If the animal looks okay, please look for a nest
– this may be in a tree or a bush or even on the
ground. Try to get the baby back to the nest as
soon as possible.

Remember: It is a fallacy that birds and
other animals reject their young if they have
acquired a human scent. This denies animal
parents’ innate drive to nurture their broods
and it ignores a bird’s basic biology. In fact,
birds have a particularly poor sense of smell
and it’s much better to try to reunite the family
as soon as possible.

Step 2: If the bird or baby mammal cannot
be reunited with their parent or family, Free
Wildlife will care for and rehabilitate the animal
until it’s time to release it.

Step 3: Releases are carefully planned and,

Fourways Gardens • 24 • October 2023