Help Wildlife With Emergency Medical Treatment

This month, a quiet sadness has settled over our sanctuary. A little red duiker, blind in one eye and slowed by age, has drawn near to our homestead. As many wild creatures do when unwell, he’s found comfort in proximity—browsing tender leaves and shrubs with a calm that speaks of trust. We watch him with gentle hearts, knowing his time may be drawing near. His presence reminds us of the fragile beauty of life in the wild.

Being far out in the bush presents its own challenge: veterinary help is not always close at hand. We’ve reached out to a trusted vet, hoping he can fit a visit into his schedule. His guidance will help us understand how best to support the duiker, and also advise us on another concern—a mild case of lymphadenitis in one of our nyala.

Lymphadenitis, often seen in domestic goats, causes swelling in the neck glands. Thankfully, it usually resolves on its own. We’ve observed the nyala browsing Sickle bush leaves, which Zulu tradition holds as a healing remedy. Locals brew a tea from these leaves to treat their goats, and perhaps the nyala’s instinctive foraging is its own form of medicine. Nature, after all, has its quiet ways of restoring balance.

The rest of our wild residents are thriving. As spring lingers, holding her breath before the summer rains, the bush is already tinged with green. Though the land still carries the dryness of winter, there’s a sense of anticipation—of nourishment to come. And with it, our spirits rise. We move gently with the seasons, grateful for every life entrusted to our care.

Thanks to your generous support, our Wildlife Emergency Fund continues to play a vital role in keeping our wild grazers healthy during the challenging winter months. In the critically rare sand forest ecosystem we protect, natural grazing becomes limited in winter—especially for our zebras and wildebeest, who rely heavily on grass.

To support them, we maintain a small section of the Reserve as open grassland. However, to ensure optimal sustainability and animal health, we provide daily supplemental feed throughout winter. This includes fresh hay and nutrient-rich wildlife pellets, specially formulated to meet the dietary needs of wild grazers. These pellets contain a balanced mix of essential nutrients to help maintain energy, immunity, and reproductive health.

We're also excited to share that Dubie, our beloved zebra, might be expecting a spring foal! While it can be tricky to tell with zebras (a full belly doesn’t always mean a baby), we’re hopeful and watching her closely with great anticipation.

The good news continues—all the wild animals are in good health, and we've noticed a reduction in tick infestations this season. This often indicates strong immune systems, which speaks volumes about the effectiveness of your support and the health of our ecosystem.

From all of us here at Suni-Ridge, thank you for making it possible to protect our wildlife and their habitat. Together, we are ensuring that this precious biodiversity not only survives but thrives.