Fourteen illegally kept Lesser bushbabies have recently found refuge at the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) in Yellowwood Park, Durban.
The centre received seven males and seven females from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, surrendered by a member of the public from a farm in Port Edward.
Denika Govender, CROW’s fundraising and marketing manager, said that these indigenous animals were being kept illegally for 11 years without the necessary permits.
“On arrival at our centre, our nurses discovered that two of the 14 needed urgent medical attention. An older female had infected bite wounds on her head, which we treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. A male bushbaby had an eye injury, which will be further examined by an eye specialist,” she said.
Govender said Lesser bushbabies are not endemic to KZN, and it’s crucial to remember that wild animals should not be kept as pets. As they mature, they can become dominant and aggressive.
The bushbabies will be transferred to another rehabilitation centre in Gauteng once permits and flights are arranged.
On average, CROW is able to release around 1000 to 2000 animals back into the wild each year.
Injured and orphaned wildlife from the South Coast are taken to CROW to be given a second chance.
CROW depends on donations to maintain its operations.
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