Nearly all the baby animals in the sanctuary are orphans that have been rescued from elsewhere and brought to the sanctuary for safety and, where possible, will be released back into their natural habitat in the wild. The sanctuary has grown steadily since it opened to the public in 1992. Since then many more animals and birds have been taken in and the sanctuary is now home to a large number of animals and over 300 species of birds.
Most birds and animals are brought to the sanctuary by members of the public or referred from local veterinary practices. These have usually been injured or orphaned. They can range from small birds to larger animals such as bush pigs and buck. Many of the parrots at the sanctuary are unwanted pets which are brought in and integrated into the aviaries with other birds of the same species.
Some animals not indigenous to South Africa have come from zoos and other wildlife parks throughout the country. These include Emu, Wallabies and Marmoset Monkeys.
The centre is primarily a sanctuary and the majority of animals and birds that come in are either infants or seriously injured adults. They are cared for by the volunteers and live out the rest of their lives at the sanctuary. However, those that are able to survive in the wild are nursed back to health and released back into their natural habitat.
The usual day-to-day duties involve preparing food for the animals and birds and feeding them twice daily. This can take up to 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon. Volunteers are required to maintain and clean out enclosures regularly and be aware of any problems that arise either with the animals themselves, their enclosures, or their access to food and water.
There is also a clinic where new injured or young animals are kept. You will help to feed and look after these animals daily. Volunteers work 5 days with 2 days off each week (not necessarily the weekends). It can be hard work. It can be dirty. It can be smelly. But that’s all part of the fun!
