Moses the hippo calf and Milly the meerkat doing well as the centre continues to accept new arrivals and care for injured animals.
Even during the hard lockdown it was business as usual, said veterinary nurse, Megan Sinclair. One of the patients is a hippo calf found abandoned on the reserve. The prolonged drought has stressed the hippo population as rivers and waterholes gradually dry up. Dubbed Moses, because of his habit of hiding in the bushes, he will be released back into the river once conditions improve.
Milly, an adult meerkat, is being housed in a purpose-built run near the owl enclosure. Kept as a pet, an animal welfare group confiscated her because she was not being well looked after. She’s now thriving on blueberries and raw eggs, which she’s learnt to break open herself.
Some of the orphaned antelope are being weaned off their milk and may soon be ready to be reintroduced to the wild.
Two of the older patients and firm favourites with the centre team and Shamwari guests are elephant calves Amara and Stella. Although Amara is the older of the two, she is the smaller. The good news is that her health has improved, and the team has noticed a positive change in her personality. Both young elephants are enjoying the warmer weather and regular mud baths.
The Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, where sick and injured wild animals are treated before being released back into the wild, is globally recognised for its pioneering work. View an episode of Shamwari TV about the Centre