Fuzzy twosome rescued and released
After 11 months the staff and volunteers at CROW celebrated the release of two orphaned water mongoose, who were brought into the centre when they were only 10 days old.
STAFF and volunteers at the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) celebrated another victory recently, as two orphaned water mongoose siblings were successfully released into the wild.
The fuzzy duo, affectionately named Zac and Zoe, were found wandering the Durban North streets without the vital protection and guidance of their mother.
It was estimated that the pair was merely 10 days old when they were bought to the rehab centre, slightly dehydrated and terrified.
“We are not sure what happened to them. They might have been separated from their mother or more sadly she could have been injured or killed,” said Paul Hoyte, CROW spokesperson.
The tiny pups were immediately placed in the care of Estie Allan, CROW’s clinic manager and water mongoose expert.
Once they had recovered their strength and had reached the appropriate age they were placed in a specialised outdoor enclosure, where they could hone their hunting and survival skills.
After 11 months of tireless dedication the CROW family was able to release the adorable siblings at the Umnyaziza Game Reserve in Richmond.
According to Hoyte, water mongoose are not an endangered species, but are often the victims of urbanisation.
“They primarily roam near rivers, where they can hunt for crabs and fish. They are prominent across the province and it does happen where they are struck by cars. We have only dealt with two cases of water mongoose rescues,” he said.
Contact Paul on 031 462 1127 or info@crowkzn.co.za.
