Waterbuck attacked with panga dies
The female waterbuck rescued from Ennerdale and taken to a wildlife rehab centre to recover has died.
The female waterbuck that was rescued from Ennerdale and taken to FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre on 25 June, died the following morning. She had multiple wounds on her nose and hind legs which may have been caused by a panga.
Penelope Morkel, clinic manager at FreeMe, confirmed that the waterbuck passed away. “We did a post-mortem. Other than the fairly superficial wounds she sustained, which the vet managed to stitch up quite easily, she was in very good health. We think she was only about three years old. We believe she died as a result of heart failure due to the psychological stress she endured in the period leading up to her rescue. We think she was chased for at least two days.”
Morkel urged the public to call the NSPCA or FreeMe if they encounter any compromised wildlife, or wildlife in distress. “The psychological stress that is put on the animal by chasing it around, trying to capture it, just creates complications. It’s not necessarily physical injuries that kill, but the stress of the whole experience.”
Details: FreeMe office hours 011 807 6993, after hours / emergencies 083 558 5658.
Related article: https://www.citizen.co.za/randburg-sun/261597/waterbuck-attacked-with-panga/
