CROW counts costs as baby season booms
The energetic youngsters who are all large spotted genets (Genetta tigrine) between the ages of one to three weeks-old have been rescued from different locations around Durban.
SPRING heralds baby season at the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) where clinic nurse, Sue-Ann Shutte has her hands full with four baby genets.
The energetic youngsters who are all large spotted genets (Genetta tigrine) between the ages of one to three weeks-old have been rescued from different locations around Durban.
All four babies are currently receiving round-the-clock care from Sue, their surrogate mother who has the full-time job of juggling two-hourly bottle feeds for her little litter.
Despite the obvious sleep deprivation that comes with such a demanding job, Sue maintains that the long hours coupled with the lack of sleep will all be worth it once these youngsters have gained the strength and independence they need to fend for themselves in the wild.
“Hand-rearing any wild animal is far from an effortless achievement, but the sense of fulfillment when releasing a rescued wild animal is what keeps you going on a daily basis,” admitted Sue.
All four genets currently in the nurse’s care will be released once they are able to find food and defend themselves in their natural habitat. Since they have been admitted to CROW, they have doubled in weight and begun to bond with their new siblings.
“The total cost to feed the four little babies their specialised milk formula will cost over R700 a month,” said CROW spokesman Chandré de Bruyn. “As they mature and grow, moving away from milk formula, they will be introduced to more suited, natural feeds so as to mimic their natural diet.”
If anyone is able to help the CROW team care for these and other Spring orphans, contact the organisation directly on 031-462-1127, email info@crowkzn.co.za or visit www.crowkzn.co.za to find other ways to get involved in their worthy work.
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