Wildlife carer dies
Endicott resident Ken Pollard (53) died on Christmas Day, only four days shy of his 54th birthday.
He was admitted to a local hospital for the treatment of an ulcer.
Ken and his wife, Judy Davidson-Pollard (54), have always been passionate about wild animals and started the Wildlife in Crisis centre 12 years ago.
According to a colleague, Vanessa Davis, Ken had left an anti-poaching unit, utterly devastated at what he was witnessing. “Horrors and cruelty encountered that would make even the most hardened mind weep in sorrow for the cruelty the wasted life had to endure,” she says.
However, Ken stuck it out for five years.
About 18 years ago, he decided to change stride, believing, that by helping fix the living wildlife, he would be able to make a difference for those animals still having a fighting chance.
Experience was gained, knowledge acquired, and finally, Ken and Judy decided to start their own wildlife rehabilitation clinic.
The plan for the clinic was to facilitate the growing number of cases being brought in to them.
“The constant influx of wildlife brought with it, constant battles,” says Vanessa.
The couple faced constant obstacles including the fight to mend 130 odd birds and animals brought in over one weekend as a result of a massive hail storm.
“Not to mention the anguish of knowing the heating was about to be switched off due to the lack of funds to pay the electrical account,” says Vanessa.
Then there was the fight to meet the demands of the shouting mouths of the hungry animals.
Ken was always willing to collect yet another injured flamingo, bat or black back jackal.
But to his wife Judy, he was her best friend, soul mate and a good husband.
He leaves behind his wife and children Alicia Redelinghuys (23), Raymond Pollard (26), Desire Asbury (34) and Alex Davidson (31).
