Animal Welfare South Africa Project #55883

Help Feed Sick and Injured Wildlife

by Scales Conservation Fund NPC

Project Report | Mar 4, 2025
Hitch's Journey - A Second Chance for a Little Free-Tailed Bat

By Amy Aucamp-Clark | Campaign Manager

Hitch

Thanks to you, another little life has been saved! Meet Hitch, a tiny free-tailed bat who found himself on an unexpected adventure. His story is proof of the real difference your donations make in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

Hitch’s Unexpected Safari

During the holiday season, Hitch fell from the roof of a resort chalet and couldn’t get back up. Like any smart little bat, he found a cozy hiding spot and waited for his mom to fetch him. But things didn’t go as planned! The tourists staying in the chalet packed up and unknowingly took him along for the ride. When they reached their next destination and opened their luggage, there he was, the tiniest, most unexpected stowaway! Luckily, the tourists did the right thing and reached out for help, setting Hitch on a new path.

A New Home at ReWild

Hitch was taken to ReWild, where he found a safe and comfortable home with other bats. He got a cozy roost, a foster mom, and all the milk he could drink! Now, he’s growing into a strong young bat. Though he’s still attached to his milk formula, he’s started nibbling on mealworms, an important step toward becoming independent.

Getting Ready for the Wild

Free-tailed bats are amazing aerial hunters, catching insects mid-flight. Before Hitch can return to the wild, he needs to build his strength and master his flying skills. He’ll spend time in the large flight enclosures, getting fit and practicing his hunting techniques to make sure he’s ready for life outside.

With your continued support, we can help more animals like Hitch get a second chance. Thank you for being part of this mission!

Hitch enjoying his milk

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Nov 5, 2024
ReWild Patient Stories

By Amy Aucamp-Clark | Campaign Manager

Jo the Epauletted Fruit Bat

Patient Story: Jo the Epauletted Fruit Bat’s Journey to Recovery

ReWild we encounter many stories of resilience, but few are as striking as Jo's. Jo, an Epauletted fruit bat, faced a life-or-death struggle against incredible odds. His story of survival and recovery demonstrates both the urgent need for rehabilitation efforts and the remarkable resilience of wildlife.

Jo’s ordeal began when he was attacked by a Lanner Falcon. With feathers flying and claws digging in, Jo somehow managed to escape the falcon’s deadly grip, only to fall to the ground. His plight worsened when he landed on a road, where a passing car ran over his wing before he could escape. Tread marks remained on his flesh, a stark reminder of his accident.

Thankfully, Jo’s fate changed when a kind passerby noticed his distress and stopped to help. She contacted ReWild, and they rushed him in to receive immediate intensive care. When he arrived, Jo was in critical condition, bearing multiple injuries: deep puncture wounds from the falcon's talons, bruising all over, and severe head trauma, likely caused by the car. His eyes were so swollen from the brain injury that the team feared he might lose one. Jo remained blind for weeks—a heartbreaking challenge for an animal so reliant on sight.

Despite the daunting road to recovery, Jo showed an incredible will to survive. The team worked tirelessly to treat his injuries and manage his trauma. Recently, they have seen signs of a breakthrough—Jo started responding to movement on his once-blind side. This progress fills us with hope that he will make a full recovery and return to the wild where he belongs.

Coping with Sudden Temperature Changes

Jo’s story is one of many that highlight the life-saving impact of your support, but it also underscores the need for ReWild to adapt to challenging environmental conditions. Recently, sudden and extreme temperature fluctuations have led to increased patient intakes. The changes are creating a strain on vulnerable wildlife, driving animals to seek shelter and requiring intensive care for those most affected.

To cope, our team has implemented extra measures to combat these fluctuating conditions, ensuring that every patient is as comfortable as possible. These efforts include temperature-controlled environments, specialized heating and cooling systems, and tailored care routines that help stabilize animals sensitive to these sudden shifts. Your donations make it possible to fund these critical adjustments, giving wildlife in need the best chance at recovery and eventual release.

Jo’s recovery and our ability to respond to environmental challenges would not be possible without the generous support of donors like you. Your contributions provide the resources needed for emergency rescues, medical care, and adapted facilities for vulnerable wildlife. Together, we are giving animals like Jo a second chance and preparing for the challenges brought by climate changes. Thank you for standing with ReWild and supporting our mission to rehabilitate and reintroduce wildlife to their natural habitats.

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Jul 9, 2024
ReWild Patient Stories

By Amy Aucamp-Clark | Campaign Manager

Nicki

We have several heartwarming stories of perseverance, community, and recovery from our special bat patients. These tiny creatures, often overlooked, have touched our hearts with their resilience. Let's dive into their inspiring journeys.

A Rare Visitor: Schlieffen's Twilight Bat

A unique guest recently graced ReWild with her presence—a Schlieffen's Twilight Bat (Nycticeinops schlieffeni). This little bat, one of the smallest species in southern Africa, found herself indoors after a wrong turn and injured both her wings. Named after Count Wilhelm von Schlieffen-Schlieffenburg, these bats typically roost under protruding bark, in tree crevices, or even man-made structures. They are among the first to venture out hunting at dusk, showcasing their nocturnal prowess.

Our team at ReWild has been providing her with the necessary rest and TLC. We are committed to ensuring she recovers fully before being released back into the wild.

Nicky's Story: A Tale of Community and Compassion

Nicky, a heavily pregnant Little Free-tailed Bat, was discovered on the floor of a local hardware store, likely seeking refuge from the heat. Exhausted and dehydrated, she was brought to ReWild by a vigilant shop employee.

Our team immediately provided Nicky with the care and support she needed. Due to her fragile condition, she will stay under our care until she is strong enough to be released back into the wild. In a heartwarming twist, Nicky is expected to give birth at ReWild, and once her pup is ready to take flight, they will be set free together outside the shop where Nicky was found.

Gabi's Rescue: From Pool to Rehabilitation

Gabi, a Pipistrelle Bat, was found floating in a swimming pool with a broken wing. Using her wings to stay afloat, she endured significant agony. The nearest wildlife rehabilitation center, Moholoholo Wildlife and Rehabilitation Center NPC, took her in for immediate treatment.

After spending the night at Moholoholo, Gabi was transported to ReWild by the kind folks from Bambelela Wildlife Care NPC & Vervet Monkey Rehab. We are grateful for their collaboration, ensuring Gabi received swift treatment. Despite her initial grouchiness, Gabi is healing well and showing her sweet nature. We expect her to make a full recovery and plan to release her in the spring.

Chris's Journey: From Pain to Recovery

Chris, a Little Free-tailed Bat, was found scurrying across a house floor with a severely fractured wing. Believed to have been accidentally caught in a closing door, he hid in the house for days before being discovered.

ReWild provided Chris with emergency fluids, nutritious soft food, and pain medication. He is now feeling much better and will soon undergo surgery to repair his wing fracture. To have any chance of flying again, Chris will need a pin to stabilize the bone for healing and a course of antibiotics to prevent infection.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Moholoholo Wildlife and Rehabilitation Center NPC and Bambelela Wildlife Care NPC & Vervet Monkey Rehab for their invaluable assistance in rescuing and transporting Gabi. These collaborations are vital in ensuring swift treatment and the best chance of survival for our wildlife.

Thank you for supporting ReWild and the incredible work we do to help these magnificent creatures. Stay tuned for more updates in our next report.

Chris

Gabi

Schlieffen's Twilight Bat

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