South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

15/09/2026

At just 13 years old, Morena Phenethi did everything perfectly to assist a tiny hatchling!

There were no adult standing nearby giving instructions..
No wildlife expert on speed dial..
No rescue manual being followed step by step..

Just a 13 year old who saw a tiny life in trouble and decided, “I need to help.”

Research online indicated that it would be best to place the baby back in the nest, but Morena’s attempts to return the hatchling to the nest did not succeed.

So Morena did the next best thing… Keeping the baby warm, a suitable box was found and the hatchling was carefully wrapped in tissue and placed safely inside.

Google had suggested one of our rehabilitation partners as someone to contact… but there was a small problem.
That rehabilitation centre happened to be in Cape Town!

Fortunately, once we were made aware via our CORE - Coalition Of Rehabilitation Expertise group that Morena needed urgent help locally, things moved very quickly.

Within a few minutes, Morena had been contacted, arrangements were being made, and an Uber was on its way to collect the tiny passenger.

In under 10 minutes, from first communication, the Uber arrived.
Morena was waiting on the pavement with the hatchling, ready to hand over the precious little passenger and get it the needed help.

Within a mere 25 minutes, Lauren Macleod in Brakpan was fussing over the tiny life which had just arrived with her.

Morena, we have no idea what you dream of becoming one day… (perhaps you already know)... But we know one thing without the slightest doubt:

You are destined for greatness… and this greatness isn’t always found in trophies, awards or big achievements..

Sometimes, greatness is a 13 year old stopping to help something so tiny that most people might have walked straight past it.
Greatness is simply caring enough to try.

The amount of care, time and effort you put into saving this tiny life brought us all to tears!

This tiny hatchling may never understand what you did…
But we do!

Morena, may you carry that enormous heart with you throughout your life!
May you always notice the small things that others overlook…
May you always have the courage to help when something needs you… and may you never lose the extraordinary kindness that made you stop for a tiny, seemingly insignificant life.

Our admiration and respect for you overflows and we bow low to you in thanks!

Sometimes the smallest lives bring out the biggest hearts, and with this, one very small hatchling reminded us just how big the heart of a 13 year old can be.

14/09/2026

13/09/2026

You may remember the tiny Serval kitten who arrived at Judy after being found alone in burnt veld.

He was tiny, he was terrified…
And, according to Judy Davidson … she recounts “I’ve never had such an utterly terrified Serval kitten come in” (which is saying something, because Judy has met her fair share of wild babies having a full blown existential crisis).

But Flint had clearly decided that the world was a terrifying place and that humans were definitely NOT to be trusted.

While Judy nursed his tiny body back to health, she quietly set about nursing something else too…
His confidence!

Slowly but surely, Flint discovered that humans weren’t necessarily monsters…
food arrived regularly, warm beds were apparently a thing, and life might actually be worth giving another chance.

And then came the next chapter… Marlene Joubert!

Flint has subsequently been transferred through to Marlene, who has what can only be described as a little patch of heaven tucked into a conservancy bordering the Ezemvelo nature reserve.

There’s a magnificent, steady stream running nearby, and vast soft release enclosures for the wildlife she regularly assists us with.
Flint now has space to climb, explore, jump, stalk and generally behave like the highly “dangerous” little predator he was born to be! (Okay okay.. the dangerous bit is still loading..)

Basically…
Flint has landed with his bum firmly in the butter.

Marlene has been taking him on walks, building his confidence, giving him the freedom and space to explore his surroundings and, most importantly, allowing him to develop (at Flint speed .. not human speed).

He climbs, he explores,he jumps, he stalks… and he happily now investigates new things!

He’s still far too young to be completely independent, of course, and for the next few months the balance will gradually shift.

Soon, Flint will be spending more time alone, while still receiving carefully provided support food as he continues mastering one of the most important lessons of all..
How to catch his own dinner without expecting room service.

Flint’s story isn’t about one person saving one kitten.
It’s about a whole chain of remarkable humans quietly doing their part…
The person who found him…
The people who transported him…
Selpark Veterinary Clinic who kept an eye on his progress..
Our supporters who have helped keep his little body fed, warm and purring like a V8 engine…
Judy, who knew exactly how to care for a terrified Serval baby and patiently rebuild his confidence..
And Marlene, whose extensive knowledge, experience and extraordinary environment are giving Flint exactly what he needs to become the wild animal he was always meant to be.

And we couldn’t be happier!
You’ve got this, Flint.
The wild is waiting for you.

And judging by the little character you’re becoming…

The wild had better be ready!

13/09/2026

Thank you to all who were involved with this rescue and release!

11/09/2026

Too cute!

Very well done!

11/09/2026

Dash 4 Paws & Claws Charity Shop has some seriously gorgeous goodies … from cosy treats to pretty things and “I absolutely needed that” purchases!

And the best part…
Your shopping can help wildlife!

So go on… let your fingers do the clicking, and your conscience do the smiling!

Pop over to Shireen’s page, have a browse and support wildlife while you shop!

Because retail therapy is even better when it comes with feathers, fur and the occasional growl, hiss or hoot!

09/09/2026

Every now and then, extraordinary people come together to pull off a pretty special rescue!

Sulette and Bertus.. you were both incredible covering many kms to help this little soul!

Greg.. what a massive difference your “pitstop” made to collect this baby!

And Brendan.. continually pulling magic out a hat to ensure wildlife cases across SA land up where they can be helped!

Thank you!

07/09/2026

A whole lot of buzz for your buck

Plant a little patch of pollinator paradise, feed the bees, butterflies & birds .. and the best part … help rescued wildlife at the same time!

R30 buys a packet…
(That’s a whole lot of buzz for your buck)!

Plant it… Grow it… Bee proud of it!!

Jenette at Awanatu Art, Body & Soul for orders:
(082) 886-6838

07/09/2026

Storms, freezing temperatures and wild winds turned this weekend into a fullscale rescue rush, keeping our SAWRC teams busier than a Hogwarts house elf on laundry day!

Friday’s wild winds apparently decided that ordinary wildlife rescue was far too mundane and conjured up a few rather dramatic cases.

First through the doors was a little White-faced Owl who appears to have had a rather unfortunate encounter with something resembling Harry Potter’s Whomping Willow.
Judging by the state she arrived in, we suspect the Willow won that particular duel.

She came in with significant concussion and one eye severely affected, so there was no time for spells, potions or waving wands about. It was straight into emergency care and very careful treatment.

Then, while travelling along what can only be described as a road less travelled, Judy spotted something rather suspicious beside the road … a nest sitting in a ditch that had effectively become a small swimming pool.

Inside were two precious little lives, despite their nest having been almost completely destroyed by the weather and water.
How these two tiny survivors managed to avoid drowning is anyone’s guess.
(Our working theory… Gillyweed… Because after all that water, these little ones have emerged in remarkably good health)!

Next, came the Lanner Falcon, who looks as though he has gone three rounds with Voldemort (and possibly lost a few arguments with a Bludger along the way).

Fortunately, our team is considerably more interested in healing than hexing, so he is now receiving the care he needs.

These are only a few of the weekend’s cases…
We’ve been BUSY!!

Apparently, Mother Nature decided that a quiet weekend was far too mundanely “Muggle” and unleashed the weather equivalent of a fullscale Hogwarts battle.

But that’s what we do.
When wildlife needs help, the SAWRC rescue broomsticks are out, the wizardry begins, and our team gets to work.
No magic wands required.
Just a lot of experience, dedication, veterinary care, sleepless nights …and occasionally a little Harry Potter level wizardry to keep everyone on the right side of the spellbook.

If you’d like to contribute toward their ongoing care and medical expenses .. We’d love the help!

South African Wildlife
Rehabilitation Centre
FNB
# 6275 926 5434
B/c: 250 655
Business Account
SWIFT Code:
FIRNZAJJ

PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/SAWildlife



Photos: Judy Davidson