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.