Help Crow this World Animal Day

IN commemoration of World Animal Day on October 4, the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (Crow) calls on South Africans to not only join in commemorating the day, but also to assist them with financial support so they can continue the work they do.

Crow, which has 355 animals currently in their sanctuary, aims to provide a life-giving service to the country’s wildlife and has rescued an impressive 164 998 animals over their 43 years in existence.

Clint Halkett-Siddall, Crow’s operations director, said the theme for World Animal Day 2023 is ‘Great or Small, Love Them All’.

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“This is exactly what we do. We take in all manner of wildlife that have been injured, displaced, or abandoned, nurse them back to health, rehabilitate them and release them back into their natural habitats. We love them all. However, our challenge is now to galvanise some serious financial support to enable us to continue to do this important work,” he said.

Halkett-Siddall said Crow was adversely affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic, which resulted in the loss of two years of international volunteer income that contributed to a sizeable portion of their running costs.

“Together with the repercussions of the floods and riots, and increased overhead, especially on animal feed and fuel, means the centre has almost depleted its financial reserves.

“We are appealing for a renewed burst of financial support from individuals and companies, to enable us to keep our doors open and help the 3 000 to 4 000 indigenous wild animals that we care for each year. Without this support, these animals will be left without assistance, with no chance of being nursed back to health and released back into the wild,” he said.

Halkett-Siddall said Crow is Durban’s only registered and fully permitted wildlife rehabilitation centre which provides indigenous wildlife with a second chance at a free, safe and sustainable life in the wild.

He said the centre works with all indigenous mammal species, reptile species and bird species. They also work with threatened or protected species (TOPS), terrestrial and marine species.

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Some of the animals currently on property include TOPs Nile crocodile, blue duiker and blesbok, as well as grey duiker, genet, scrub hare, rock hyrax, banded mongoose, water mongoose, spotted eagle owl, wood owl, spurwing goose, Egyptian geese, egret, terrapin, garden variety birds, bush baby, vervet monkey, leopard tortoise, eastern hinge tortoise, labots tortoise and specs tortoise.

“However, due to financial constraints, we have had to cease after-hours services, and if funding does not improve, we will have to put a hold on rescues and collections. We now also have to limit the intake of Egyptian Geese and vervet monkeys which are robust urban dwellers but very expensive to feed,” he said.

Halkett-Siddall said Crow does not receive any government funding and relies solely on public support.

“We are appealing to people who care about wildlife and our environment to assist us by donating to Hope for Our Wildlife – Crow’s Emergency Appeal. Any donation in any form is most welcome to keep our doors open to animals in need,” he said.

To make a donation, visit the Crow website on https://crowkzn.co.za/donate/

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