Young boy rescues baby duiker near Botha’s Hill
The baby duiker is now recovering at the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW).
A YOUNG boy, Scelo, made the brave decision to go against a community elder’s advice to return a baby duiker back to an area in Botha’s Hill that was teeming with hunting dogs and rescue it instead.
The communications and marketing officer for CROW, Alexandra Koegl, said the non-profit organisation received a phone call on Monday evening regarding a pack of hunting dogs that had come across a small, abandoned duiker lamb.
“Scelo picked up the duiker and brought it through to the community elder, who advised them to place it back in the bushes,” said Koegl.
Instead, Scelo, together with fellow community member, Malvern Dingwiza, found a safe place for the little lamb.
ALSO READ: CROW’s 2021 calendar soars to new heights
“After phoning around, and with many people rallying behind the boy, they finally got in touch with CROW. We arrived at the scene to find the duiker lamb safely kept in a dark room and being guarded by Scelo and Malvern,” said Koegl.
The duiker is believed to be a week old.
It still has the remnants of its umbilical cord stuck to its belly and had a few ticks on its lips.
The duiker is now recovering at CROW.
“We are so thankful to Scelo, Malvern and the rest of the community, including Lina Wenton, who initially placed the call, for helping this little duiker baby and fighting for her right to a happy, long life. You have saved a life today and proven that you can never be too young to care for and love animals. You’re our hero, Scelo,” said Koegl.
The organisation said it hopes for Scelo to become one of its wildlife ambassadors.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
