Heroes

Who do you consider to be the heroes of this world? A fireman risking his life to save people stranded in a burning house? A mom jumping into a river after her little son has accidentally fallen in? People who fight against injustice across the world, unconcerned with their own safety? While offering our respect to all brave individuals who put someone else’s interests before their own, let’s not forget those who live and work closer to home: people and organizations looking after abandoned and injured wild animals of South Africa. The passion and commitment they demonstrate when rescuing and looking after these helpless creatures is truly something we should admire, as without their efforts, our beautiful country would not be as fascinating as it is today.

Baby Rhino Stabbed Trying to Protect Her Mum

J'aime was with her mom when a group of poachers attacked looking to claim her parent's horns worth thousands of dollars. We don't know if the 4-week-old baby tried to charge the villains or place her tiny body between the two as a shield, but it's evident that she did her best to protect her mom. In the end, she didn't succeed, and was left not only orphaned but also with three stab wounds in her back.

Black Mambas Hunt South Africa’s Poachers

The Balule Reserve is a vast open space covering 100,000 acres within the Greater Kruger National Park. It’s home to magnificent fauna which includes lions, elephants, and white and black rhinos. At the same time, the wooded savannah of the Limpopo Province is roamed by poachers who are slaughtering rhinoceroses for their horns. Since rhino horns can bring as much as $60,000 per pound, it’s clear why they think it to be a lucrative business. However, at Balule poaching has heavily declined, thanks to – the Black Mambas!

South American Circus Lions Find Home in South Africa

Late 2015, 33 lions were rescued by Animal Defenders International (ADI) from ten different circuses in Peru and Colombia and relocated to the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in the Limpopo province. When the team arrived to pick up these magnificent creatures, they found them in a terrible state.

Truck Drivers Stop to Help Thirsty Baby Elephant

About a month ago, some truck drivers on their way through Botswana got surprised by a baby elephant popping out of the bushes by the road. Having stopped, they’ve cautiously approached the tiny creature and realised she was very thirsty.

Fundimvelo Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage

Rhinos in South Africa are increasingly endangered due to poachers who are after their horns. As they’re getting more and more aggressive, protecting each and every rhino is important in order to safeguard the species. Thankfully, people and organisations have recognised this need and responded adequately.

Orphaned Rhinos Get New Blankets

Did you know that blankets play a vital role in the recovery of baby rhinos, especially those injured and traumatised by the experience of seeing poachers kill their mums? While in the wild it is mum’s body that which provides the warmth, orphaned babies need blankets to regulate their body temperature.

Ex-Orphan Brings Her Baby To Meet Her Former Human Family

Can you imagine the surprise of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust members, as they saw one of their old protégées come back, tiny baby in tow? This is what happened in Kenya in October 2015, as a Trust-raised elephant named Wendi paid a visit to people who’ve 13 years earlier saved her life.

Tiny Baby Hippo Finds New Family

In December last year, an orphaned baby hippo was observed from the air. Trapped in a drying pond in the remote Kiunga Forest on the north coast of Kenya, it was clear that without intervention it would not survive. The area where the baby was stuck is fairly remote and saving it has presented quite a challenge.