South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

12/06/2026

Only 340 remain.

340.

That's the entire global population of Botha's Lark.

This bird occurs nowhere else on Earth except South Africa. If we lose it here, we lose it forever.

We made this film to tell its story.

If you've already watched it, thank you. If not, please take a few minutes to do so.

Then share it.

Not tomorrow. Not next week. Today.

Every share puts this species in front of new people. Every tag helps grow awareness. Every view gives this bird a slightly louder voice.

Let's see how far we can spread the story of one of South Africa's most endangered birds.

Watch the film. Share the post. Tag your birding friends.

Together, we can make sure more than 340 people know about the 340 birds that remain.

Read the story and watch the film: https://bit.ly/Behindthebothas

11/06/2026

Warning: Side effects may include productivity, improved decision making, optimism, and the previously undocumented ability to speak civilly to people before 9AM.

Smooth, rich, dangerously drinkable, and highly recommended for anyone suffering from Early Morning Human Malfunction Syndrome.

It’s no secret that we love our coffee… and as luck would have it, we have a crafted magnificent Premium Arabica blend packaged just for us and it’s now available in our online store.

(Just remember to select whether you’d like beans or ground coffee when ordering.)

This isn’t just novelty coffee hiding in a fancy bag. The Premium Arabica inside is genuinely top-tier stuff, already trusted by multiple coffee shops and serious coffee drinkers.

A decent portion of every 1kg bag sold goes directly toward supporting our wildlife rehabilitation work.

So while you’re restoring your own endangered species status before work, you’re also helping us rescue, rehabilitate and release South Africa’s wildlife.

It’s conservation with extra caffeine.

All that remains is to feed it into your preferred Yum-Yum Machine, wait a few moments, and achieve temporary human functionality.

Everybody wins!

(Except perhaps the person who talks to you before your first cup.)

https://www.sawrc.org.za/category/coffee

Or call Jenette to order:

+27 (82) 886-6838

R350 / kg

10/06/2026

There is something incredibly special about animal welfare organisations helping one another.

Every rescue centre, shelter, and rehabilitation facility knows the daily balancing act of caring for the animals already in their charge while wondering what fresh chaos tomorrow might deliver, so when one organisation reaches out a helping hand to another, it is something truly worth celebrating!

The wonderful team at the Animal Anti-Cruelty League Johannesburg has generously donated a whopping 150kg of dog food and a host of other goodies to help support the animals in our care.
That is 150kg of happy tummies which will definitely help us in the months to come as well!
It brought one very large sigh of relief from our team!

In a world that can sometimes feel a little short on kindness, this sort of generosity reminds us that we are all part of the same village, working towards the same goal… giving animals the care, dignity, and second chances they deserve.

The donation has taken enormous pressure off our immediate food needs and we cannot thank the team enough. We can only hope that the universe repays the Animal Anti Cruelty League in whatever way they need most (preferably with interest, bonuses, and perhaps a few miracles thrown in for good measure. We would happily settle for it being returned to them 10’000 fold).

From the bottom of our hearts (and from the bottoms of a great many food bowls) thank you, Team AACL. You have absolutely spoiled us.

09/06/2026

There is something deeply satisfying about finishing the last clinic check, filling a few final hungry tummies, and finally climbing into bed.
The day is done.
The animals are settled.
The world can carry on without you for a few hours.

Or so you think.

Judy is no stranger to those strange wildlife rehab alarm clocks that seem to ring exclusively at ridiculous hours.
Last night, at ten to one in the morning, (00:50) .. the phone rang.
A few moments later, after a brief conversation consisting mostly of, "Yes, absolutely. No problem at all," she was out of bed, pulling on the warmest jacket she could find to fight against the already freezing temps, and heading for the rehab gate.

Most normal people would have been muttering darkly into the night.
Judy, however, arrived smiling.
Waiting for her were the response team from Ghost Security, who had taken the time to stop and assist a beautiful Barn Owl that was clearly having a very rough evening.

Not only had they rescued her, but they had also transported her all the way through to us at 1 A.M.
Suddenly, getting out of bed didn't seem like such a terrible deal.

Back in the warmth of the clinic, Judy began her examination.
Concussion… Thick.
Bruising… Plenty.
Spinal trauma… Present, but thankfully repairable.

The little owl looked as though she had gone twelve rounds with a freight train and then lost the judges' decision.

Still, after a careful assessment, Judy's verdict was simple…
"Okay... we can do this."
After setting up a warm carrier, administering fluids, and providing all the immediate care she needed, Judy sat quietly for a while, keeping watch over her newest patient.

Satisfied that the owl was stable and comfortable, she finally headed back to bed to steal a few precious hours of sleep before daylight arrived to demand more of the same.

Our midnight arrival has been christened Ghost in honour of the security team who ensured she made it safely to us.
Ghost the Barn Owl will need several days of intensive TLC, but fortunately she has landed in exactly the right place.
If there's one thing Judy dispenses generously .. it's compassion.

For now Ghost is warm, safe, and receiving the very best care.
And honestly, that's not a bad outcome for a patient who arrived at one o'clock in the morning freezing cold.

06/06/2026

It’s not every day that a poacher strolls around in broad daylight trying to sell a "tiger baby" for R100.

When Jaco and Faya Joan McIntosh were first approached, they didn’t pay the man much attention… After all, South Africans hear some fairly creative sales pitches, but after speaking to several people who had also been offered the mysterious "tiger baby", they realised this was no joke.

Knowing that leaving the kitten behind could condemn it to a truly awful fate, a quick exchange was made and the bag was thrust into their hands.

Peering inside, they immediately realised this was no ordinary kitten… but the smell hit first…
Not a "needs a bath" smell.
Not a "rolled in something unpleasant" smell.
A full blown, eye watering, nostril assaulting, rotting in the pits of hell kinda smell.

The kitten had already been dragged through two different towns after being caught, and his trauma must have been next level, but it was immediately obvious that something else was very, very wrong.

A flurry of phone calls followed, plans were made at speed, and Judy raced off to meet the couple and take over care of the tiny passenger.

One glance into the bag confirmed it… a very wild, very purr-plexed, thoroughly compromised serval kitten.
Still spicy enough to object strongly to the entire situation, but clearly feeling miserable.

Judy wasted no time arranging emergency veterinary care with Dr. Garith Newby at Selpark Veterinary Clinic.

Following a thorough examination, and some discussion, treatment was immediately started to tackle a serious case of haemorrhagic diarrhoea.
Judy has him back in her clinic, giving regular feeds and after a decent wash and dry, the serval kitten is looking and smelling just peachy!

Despite everything this little serval has endured, he remains a fighter.
The rescue family have chosen a fitting name for the youngster: Mufasa… And perhaps it was fate. The R50 handed to the poacher for a meal bears the image of one of Africa's most iconic lions, and now that same note has helped change the course of a future king's life.

Mufasa may be tiny for now, all oversized ears, attitude and indignation, but one day he will grow into the magnificent hunter nature intended him to be.

A king indeed.

For now, however, the king's duties consist mainly of recovering, taking his medication, and reminding everyone within earshot that he is deeply unimpressed by humans.

04/06/2026

One of the privileges of wildlife rescue is that, every now and then, amongst the endless heartbreak, frustration, and occasional desire to launch certain humans into low Earth orbit, we get to meet truly remarkable people.

Yesterday, Lauren Macleod, (one of our remarkable first aid responders), rushed out to Germiston after receiving a request from Thokozane Titus Thwala to help a Spotted Eagle owl that was found sitting grounded in his driveway.

When he first called, Lauren asked if he could carefully pick the owl up and place it in a box.
His response was immediate.

"No... I'm scared."

To be fair, we hear this fairly often. Owls carry centuries of superstition, and many people grow up being taught that they are harbingers of doom, bad luck, evil spirits, or at the very least, something best admired from several suburbs away.

Not wanting to waste a second, Lauren jumped into her car and set off, following a dropped pin that appeared to have been located somewhere between "the middle of nowhere" and "slightly further than that."

Meanwhile, Thokozane had made a decision.
He wasn't prepared to handle the owl.
But he also wasn't prepared to abandon her.
Taking up a position nearby, he stood guard.
When local children began approaching the bird, he intervened, firmly encouraging them to find alternative recreational activities that did not involve harassing injured wildlife.

And then he stayed.
In the cold.
With his fears.
With the knowledge that neighbours might talk.
With people telling him he was protecting something evil.
He stayed with her.

When Lauren finally arrived, his face lit up like a Christmas tree running on industrial strength electricity.
Help had arrived.
Someone was there for the owl, and the burden he'd been carrying could finally be handed over.
Despite his fears, he simply didn't want to see an animal suffer.

A quick examination revealed what Lauren had already begun to suspect.. poisoning.
Without missing a beat, she loaded the owl into a warm carrier and headed straight to the incredible team at Park Veterinary Hospital, giving the Spotty every possible chance.

It's encounters like this that leave a lasting impression.

Not because everything worked out… But because they remind us that kindness still exists.
That there are people willing to make the call, ask for help, stand their ground, and do the right thing even when it makes them uncomfortable.

Sir, thank you.
You may never know how much your actions meant to us, but you will remain one of our heros.

And the Spotty...
The poison won.
The damage had already been done. Internal haemorrhaging had quietly filled her frail body long before help could arrive.
She could not be saved.
But because one frightened man chose compassion over fear, she did not spend her final hours alone.

To our Park Vet team .. thank you for always stepping up to help our wildlife cases.. you are incredibly valuable to our work!

03/06/2026

Thank you Bambelela Wildlife Care NPC & Vervet Monkey Rehab

While it is not our policy at Keeping The West Wild/ The South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center to trap wildlife within a protected area such as the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden South Africa our one armed bandit was far too used to people and therefore for his safety and that of the visitors we are getting him out of danger. He is in good health and has been coping very well with one hand. He has been known to us for some time. Thank you Bambelela Wildlife Care NPC & Vervet Monkey Rehab for helping us yet again.




Pictures from social media.

03/06/2026

Collaboration
Sharing and unlimited TLC

What a win !

03/06/2026

A few days ago, Judy headed out to the Delmas area to collect an owl.

Now before anyone shrugs and says, “It’s just an owl,” we need to stop you right there.

This was not just an owl.

Waiting for Judy was a juvenile African Grass Owl…
and suddenly the wildlife equivalent of a routine house call became a bit more like being handed the keys to a very nervous, feather covered Ferrari.

Why all the excitement?

The African Grass Owl is listed as Vulnerable under South Africa’s TOPS (Threatened or Protected Species) regulations.
Fewer than 5,000 mature birds are thought to remain across southern Africa, and their numbers continue to decline due to habitat destruction, poaching, wildfires, vehicle collisions, fences and secondary poisoning.

In other words, every single Grass Owl matters.

With that in mind, Judy wasted no time arranging a full medical examination.
The youngster was promptly chauffeured off for a nose to tail (or perhaps more accurately, beak to talon) inspection by the ever patient Dr. Garith at Selpark Veterinary Clinic.
(And we may have accidentally made his week)!

As it turns out, this was the very first African Grass Owl Dr. Garith has ever had the opportunity to examine.

Now imagine spending years as a veterinarian and then suddenly finding a Vulnerable African Grass Owl on your examination table. That’s a bit like a birdwatcher stumbling across a unicorn having a quiet afternoon stroll.

Needless to say, Dr. Garith was rather excited.

The owl, on the other hand, seemed significantly less impressed by the occasion and expressed its feelings through a series of disapproving stares and what can only be described as aggressive fluffiness.

The good news is that, after a thorough examination, the youngster appears to have escaped serious injury.

Apart from one tender wing and a bruised sense of dignity following all the fuss, there were no fractures, no permanent damage, and every indication that this bird should make a full recovery.

Which means that, with a little rehabilitation and some time to perfect its owl skills, our young patient should soon be heading back where it belongs.. soaring over grasslands, hunting rodents and hopefully avoiding roads!

For a species with numbers this low, every Grass Owl counts.

Even the ones that insist on terrifying rehabilitators, delighting veterinarians, and turning an ordinary weekday into a very memorable one.

03/06/2026

A huge thank you to Medinox South Africa for their generous donation of adhesive strapping and bandaging supplies.

These consumables are used regularly in the treatment and rehabilitation of injured wildlife, and donations like this help us continue providing the care our patients need.
We have, as usual, shared the gold with RAWR (Reptile and Wildlife Rescue) & Terrace Road Veterinary Hospital.. it just makes everyone’s world a breath easier with these high end supplies!

Gary, are incredibly grateful for your support and for helping us make a difference, one animal at a time.

Thank you, Medinox, for standing with wildlife.