Anushka - The Wildlife EA

10/06/2026

When I shared aunt Jackie's story in April, something happened that I did not expect:

You showed up in the comments, the messages and in the shares that carried her story far beyond my little corner of the internet.

So I wanted to come back and tell you: Aunt Jackie is still going. 💛
She has now completed three physically demanding chemotherapy sessions, facing the long hours and real side effects with the same quiet grace she brings to our animal kitchen every morning.

Recently, aunt Jackie reached a deeply personal milestone when she began experiencing hair loss. When staff took her to the CANSA shop to choose a wig, true to form, her focus wasn't on herself, it was entirely on supporting the shop and the vital work they do for others walking the same road. Please read the full story in the May edition of The Cango Digest. Link in the comments. 👇

Aunt Jackie's courage has clearly touched a lot of people. If you were one of the people who commented, shared, or simply held space for aunt Jackie's story the first time around: She knows, and it matters more than you know.

Follow along if you want to stay updated on aunt Jackie's journey. This will not be the last chapter. 💛

09/06/2026

Hugely exciting news, folks!

Following a comprehensive biodiversity assessment and subsequent review by the relevant committee, we are delighted to announce that our property has qualified for Nature Reserve status under the CapeNature Biodiversity Stewardship Programme.

We have now commenced the formal process to have the property declared a Provincial Nature Reserve, with our ultimate goal being the proclamation of a Private Nature Reserve following the completion of the required public participation process.

In recognition of the extraordinary natural and historical significance of Meiringspoort, which borders and traverses the western reaches of our property, we have chosen to name the protected area the Meiringspoort Private Nature Reserve.

Our new logo represents the highly restricted and critically endangered Cape Stag Beetle (genus Colophon), found only on the highest peaks of the Swartberg mountains above the Meiringspoort pass, these flightless insects rely on the cool, mist-fed alpine environment to survive.

This represents a major milestone for conservation in the region and will help safeguard the area’s remarkable biodiversity, unique landscapes, endemic flora and fauna, and ecological integrity for future generations.

Together with the work of the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary, we believe this initiative will contribute meaningfully to positioning De Rust as a destination for nature conservation, responsible tourism, environmental education, and animal welfare.

We look forward to sharing more details as the process unfolds and to welcoming the community on this exciting journey.

The future of conservation in the Karoo has never looked brighter. 🌿🦓🏔️

08/06/2026

Meet Lilo.

She is one of our brown lemurs here at Cango Wildlife, and a few weeks ago she went through something no one ever wants to hear about their animal: she lost an eye.

Lilo developed glaucoma, a condition where pressure builds up inside the eye and becomes incredibly painful if left untreated. After specialised eye drops failed to improve things, our vet team made the compassionate call to surgically remove the affected eye to give her relief and a better quality of life.

Here is the thing about animals though: they adapt in ways that will genuinely surprise you. Lilo is already recovering well, eating, climbing, socialising, and doing what lemurs do best.

The full story of her surgery, including how a group of pre-vet students got a front-row seat to wildlife medicine in action, is on the blog. Link in the comments. 👇

Have you ever been surprised by how resilient an animal can be?

04/06/2026

03/06/2026

Let me introduce myself: I’m Anushka, an Executive Assistant at Cango Wildlife, and this is just a tiny glimpse of the absolute chaos I manage every single day. 😂

Drop a comment below: Does your boss have this much chaotic energy? 🤪

03/06/2026

Turning a mild cold into an unprompted performance review for my own body. 😅

27/05/2026

Happy 🦦

Today, we are celebrating Speckles, Cango Wildlife’s playful Spotted-Necked Otter.

As one of the oldest of her species in the Southern Hemisphere, Speckles is a vital ambassador. In the wild, these incredible freshwater predators are facing habitat loss and pollution, landing them a Near Threatened status on the IUCN Red List. 🌍

Remember: Healthy rivers mean healthy otters. By protecting our natural waterways, we safeguard countless species.