Kind Strangers Rescue 48 Baby Swifts in Overnight Trip

Late on Friday night, a desperate call came through to the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. Forty-eight tiny swift chicks needed urgent help.

Gauteng, South Africa (27 October 2025) – The odds looked grim for the swift chicks after their nests were destroyed at a school. Common Mynas began attacking the vulnerable birds. Sigrid Oliver, a dedicated bird and bat rehabber from Bloemfontein, immediately stepped in to rescue every living chick she could find.

She brought the fragile babies to safety and began providing constant, around-the-clock care. Realizing the chicks needed more specialized facilities, she contacted the SAWRC for support. The center then worked to locate facilities better equipped to raise the chicks.

A Swift Rescue Mission

Friends of Free Wildlife in Kyalami and the SAWRC’s own centre in Springs agreed to assist. The challenge became transporting the chicks from Bloemfontein. A social media call for help went out late on a Friday night, with hopes for a quick response seeming slim.

As detailed in the complete version, there are several key factors to consider.

The SAWRC team shared on social media that within minutes, they had a post up requesting a lift. Then, after 10 PM, a couple named Gabbi Loyd and her partner called. They volunteered to drive through the night on an 11-hour round trip to save the chicks. Their incredible offer stunned the rescue team.

An Extraordinary Act of Kindness

Without hesitation, Gabbi and her partner set out from Gauteng to Bloemfontein. They navigated dark, challenging roads to reach Sigrid’s door by 3 AM. Just seven hours later, all 48 tiny swifts arrived safely at Friends of Free Wildlife.

The group of chicks was then split for specialized care. Thirty went with swift expert Karen Squirrel. The remaining 18 joined the SAWRC’s care, where more than 67 other swift chicks are already being raised.

The SAWRC praised the heroes involved, calling Sigrid a “legend” for her initial rescue efforts under pressure. They expressed awe for Gabbi and her partner, whose actions redefined showing up. Because of this collective effort, 48 little birds still have the chance to spread their wings. This swift rescue mission highlights the power of community and compassion in wildlife conservation.