Photo: Chacma baboon, Melusi Thebe

Hi Tracey ,

On the Rescue and Rehabilitation front it’s been a busy few months of babies, babies and more babies! We’re grateful to report that all our cases have had happy endings and we hope you enjoy getting to know some of our various young visitors below. 

Rescue and rehabilitation has been a core component of the Victoria Wildlife Trust’s mission since it was established. We firmly believe in the rehabilitation and release of these animals and thank you our supporters for helping us to ensure that they get the best possible chance to return to the wild.  

If you're inclined, you can donate today to help fund this vital work. Thank you for your confidence in our work, it means the world to us. 

For Wild Africa,

Jessica Dawson

Executive Director

Wildlife Rescue and Rehab

Storm-drain Babies: When the rains started in November, a tiny porcupette (yes, that’s a baby porcupine!) and a baby warthog were washed up after a big storm. These burrowing species are particularly vulnerable to heavy rains which can flood their homes, flush them out and sometimes separate parents and offspring. Fast forward three months later and the two storm-drain babies are flourishing: they’re big and strong and we aim to release them next month! 

Did you know,

a baby porcupine is called a porcupette?

Porcupine and warthog babies at our High Care Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (HCRC)

Baboon Bonding: Recently we successfully returned a baby baboon to his troop after he was separated from his family along the upper Zambezi river. Despite valiant efforts from one of our veterinarians to locate the troop after the baby was discovered, it was nowhere to be found and so the baboon came back to be kept safe, warm, and fed at the HCRC overnight. Thankfully the next day the troop was located. The little guy was released near them and was promptly scooped up and cuddled by a female baboon who we suspect may have been his mother. 

This little Chacma baboon had a lucky reunion with his troop one day after losing them.

Last month we admitted a young banded mongoose that had lost its troop.  Despite all efforts we weren’t able to find its family group. However mongooses can be very adaptable and we are optimistic that when the time comes, this little survivor will make his way in the world just fine. We’re also currently caring for a laughing dove chick that was abandoned in the city centre last week and in December we received a black-eyed bulbul fledgling that had been abandoned after falling from its nest.

But not all of our intakes were youngsters. We recently rescued a honey badger that looked like it had probably been hit by a vehicle, and the good news is that he has already returned to the wild! Take a look at his heart-warming release (below) where he left with a spring in his step – a very different animal from when he arrived (P.S. – keep an eye out for some of his aforementioned co-stars). 

High Care Rehab Unit

In the last five years we've cared for 100+ animals in our High Care Rehab Unit. They've come in many different shapes and sizes, but they've all had a second chance - thanks to you!

Snare Removals

Events

Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Webinar

February 28th: 5pm CAT / 7am Pacific / 10am Eastern

Meet the team! Get to know some of the faces behind the names and all the hard work at our upcoming Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Webinar where you can hear their stories. So line up your questions and sign up here.

Victoria Falls Trail Run

May 27th - 28th

Its back for its 2nd year! We’re giving you plenty of warning to register early, secure your spot and get training so that you can join us for this very special iconic run – hosted by us! The two-day 50km trail course winds its way through Hwange rural communal lands, over the mighty Batoka Gorge, and back to a spectacular finish overlooking our very own Zambezi River. We don’t think you could ask for more in a run. Last year the event raised USD $6500 for VFWT and we hope you will join us this year to make it an even bigger success. For more information please visit www.victoriafallstrailrun.com

“The run will be almost entirely along single track and will take you through rural villages, remote forest area, and finally wildlife-rich trails along the edge of the gorge of the Zambezi river which is way down below. It is an exclusive event with limited entries due to the environmentally sensitive areas that you will run through."

Zambezi Cycle Challenge

July 7th - 9th

Registration is open for this annual three-day off-road cycle event. Last year more than 135 riders from all over Africa participated in this top class, uniquely challenging and adventure-filled experience through beautifully scenic natural reserves. VFWT is one of the Challenge beneficiaries so what more encouragement do you need to sign up and get those legs moving! For more information please visit www.zambezicyclechallenge.com. 

If you would like a copy of our newly published 2021 Annual Impact Report, please contact

contact Tracey Butcher US Outreach and Development