Provide food & care for the wildlife Orphanage

In the past months we were very lucky to expand the DAKTARI Family. Thus, we would like to introduce you to our newest environmental ambassador, Crunchie, a male retired cheetah.

At DAKTARI, we frequently receive animals from rehabilitation centers that cannot be rehabilitated or reintroduced into the wild. In our wildlife orphanage, we not only provide them with excellent care but also utilize them for educational purposes with our weekly students. It is the first time seeing a cheetah for most of these children. At DAKTARI, we take every opportunity to educate young people about these species, emphasizing the importance of wildlife living in their natural habitats. At the same time, we remain dedicated to providing comprehensive environmental education.

Crunchie was entrusted to DAKTARI by the HESC -Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. He is 13 years old and was involved in a reproduction program aimed at species preservation. Through this initiative, several cheetahs have been reintroduced into the wild to diversify genetic lines within game reserves and prevent inbreeding, as cheetah populations in Africa are very closely genetically related.

We would like to extend our gratitude to HESC for their continued trust in DAKTARI. Our vision is to foster a local community that is passionate about and committed to protecting the animals in their vicinity. Achieving this goal is only possible through our wildlife orphanage. Indeed, without the opportunity to see, touch, and care for these animals, children would not develop a passion for wildlife and environmental conservation. This underscores the crucial role of the animals in our orphanage as ambassadors for their species’ protection.

ANIMAL WELFARE:

The other members of our lovely wild family are healthy and looking really good. 

Eeyore, our donkey, often enjoys going to a sundowner in different spots of our reserve (under our supervision for his safety) to try different types of grass. 

Our meerkats, Karools and Gaspar, get daily enrichment activities to stir up their curiosity and keep them busy during the coldest days, while getting all the attention from our students and volunteers. 

Shangaan, the caracal, is practicing his jumping skills. You would be impressed if you saw how high he can jump!

THANK YOU!

At DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage, our dedication to the care and well-being of our animals is always at the core of our mission. 

Thank you very much for your ongoing support. YOU make great things, and we do not have enough words to express our appreciation. 

Since our last report we´ve had quite a few changes at DAKTARI.

• New office team

We have welcomed four new office members in the DAKTARI Team, coming all over Europe. Noemi, our Project Manager; Ronja, at the head of the Outreach Program; Charlotte, leading marketing; and Ana at the commands of fundraising. We now have a full girls office team!

• Animal Welfare

The staff and volunteers have worked all together to improve the animals' enclosures. They have enhanced -and changed when necessary- the fences, upgraded the water system and drinkers, as well as they have built new shelters.

This year we have put a great part of our focus on creating enrichment activities for all of our animals - from hiding their food so they have to activate all their senses and stir up their curiosity to find it, to mixing flavors, or adding new natural elements to their enclosure, and to making handcrafted garlands out of things found in the bush so our most active animals can play. 

• Update on our orphaned animals

All of our animals are looking great. They are strong and healthy, and they seem to be enjoying summer and all the activities that our volunteers thoughtfully prepare for them. 

Goose, one of our mongooses that had an injured leg, is now back on tack with Moose and Pepi. They spend the whole day playing and racing each other!

Nevertheless, we sadly have to lament the  passing away of one of our beloved Wood Owls, Buddy.

At DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage, our commitment to the well-being and conservation of our animals remains unwavering. 

We would like to thank you for your continued support, and to let you know about the start of the Little x Little Campaign (from March 8th until March 12th), where donations up to USD 50 will get matched at a 50%; i.e. If you would donate through GlobalGiving $30, we would receive $45.

Thank you again for being a part of the impact DAKTARI makes to other people´s and animals´ lives.