South Africa as a whole, and Limpopo in particular, is facing one of the worst droughts seen in the past two decades. The bush is very dry and we have reached a situation where we fear for the wellbeing of the animals that live on the DAKTARI Farm. With the baby-season coming we want to be able to provide a little support to prevent malnutrition, dehydration, or even the death of some of these animals, as well as ensuring that the future mothers can provide for their young ones in the heat.
The drought which is currently affecting the area in which DAKTARI is has become more severe than was initially thought. Around this time, we would have experienced scattered rainfall and a progressively greener bush going into the rainy season. Unfortunately the bush is dry and there is fewer and fewer food for the wild animals on our farm. This project aims to counter the potentially devastating effects of the drought by providing a food source for the wild animals without majorly interfering.
We want to be able to provide lucerne and game pellets for the animals in the farm in specific areas where the animals will be able to gain nutrition while not being affected by our presence. This will allow us to counter the effects of the drought by providing a much needed source of food. Moreover, if this drought continues, we want to have an 'excess' to be able to provide this help throughout the summer months of major heat.
A positive and clean environment with healthy and cared-for animals serves to push our impact on the children, and consequently on the community. Likewise, through the education of the future generations of the area, we aim to make a lasting impact on the local wildlife. In addition to this, we hope that the animals we have now, like the mongoose, dassies, a bush baby, or a family of meerkats amongst others, may be reintroduced into the wild when they are fully rehabilitated.
