New rescues and exciting releases for FreeMe
PAULSHOF- FreeMe animal rehabilitation centre has an exciting new rescue story and a very special release case.
Founded in 1997 FreeMe is now at the forefront of animal rehabilitation in South Africa.
One of their most interesting recent rescue cases is that of a male caracal kitten in their care. Three months ago hunters shot a heavily pregnant female caracal and removed her two full- term kittens. The kittens were hand-reared on an incorrect diet which resulted in a metabolic bone disorder in both kittens. Unfortunately the female kitten’s spine collapsed due to softened and brittle vertebrae, and FreeMe had to make the difficult but humane decision to put her down. While the male caracal kitten is still under observation he seems to be doing well and when he is old enough he will be rehabilitated back into the wild.
A few weeks ago FreeMe facilitated another meerkat release in a conservancy near Potschefstroom. The release was momentous because a meerkat rehabilitation takes up to a year to complete. This is because meerkats have such highly developed social structures that a meerkat family group needs to be built up before being released into the wild.
FreeMe animal manager Penelope Morkel explained that most meerkats that come to FreeMe are ex-pets.
“There is a burgeoning pet trade of meerkats in South Africa,” she said. “People think meerkats are cute because they are very vocal and interactive but as soon as they reach sexual maturity they actually become terrible pets.”
Morkel explained that the same social hierarchy that made meerkats seem cute caused them to be jealous pets which bond with only one person and often attack children, other pets and pregnant women.
FreeMe currently has a female meerkat in their care who came to them because it killed its owner’s two small dogs. The meerkat is currently being rehabilitated with another more submissive female and two babies. FreeMe is hoping to release the group soon.
FreeMe treats over 10 000 cases a year, with over 350 species admitted to the facility to date. In order to carry on their important work with wildlife FreeMe needs the support of the community.
To make a donation to FreeMe SMS “FREEME” to 38079 to donate R10 or add FreeMe as a beneficiary on your MySchool card.
Details: www.myschool.co.za
