Wild Heart Team Hopes for Recovery After Storm Damages Animal Rehab

Limpopo, South Africa – The Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation faces a critical recovery mission after a severe storm ravaged its facility this week. The sanctuary, renowned for rescuing animals from illegal trade, now urgently needs public support to rebuild.

Founders Carina Crayton and Paul Oxton have dedicated years to saving vulnerable wildlife. Their recent work included rehabilitating Blue, a leopard tortoise found painted and captive. Now, their focus shifts to emergency repairs after the storm caused extensive damage.

Storm Wreaks Havoc on Sanctuary

A massive tree collapsed near the ICU and rehabilitation enclosures. Staff performed a frantic manual evacuation of all animals to secure locations. An adult Caracal required hand-catching without sedation for immediate relocation.

Tragically, a wild Pearl-spotted Owlet died when its nest was destroyed. The falling tree also severed the main water supply and damaged power lines. This left all animals without water and compromised essential services.

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

Critical Infrastructure Damaged

The storm wrecked boundary fences, concrete slabs, and the animal food garden. Emergency tree felling services were required due to unstable debris, incurring high costs. Several other trees still pose ongoing threats to the facility.

Carina Crayton described the overwhelming situation. She confirmed the storm pushed their resources to the limit, exhausting both staff and finances. The Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation team now balances animal care with urgent reconstruction.

Rebuilding the Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation

The recovery checklist is extensive. Priorities include installing emergency shade covers for exposed enclosures, restoring full water and power, and repairing all damaged fences. The animal food garden requires complete replanting.

Despite the devastation, all rescued animals are currently safe. The foundation’s resilience mirrors the spirit of the creatures they save. Community support is crucial for the Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation to restore operations and continue its vital conservation work.

The sanctuary launched a BackaBuddy campaign to fund storm damage repairs. Public donations will help the Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation rebuild its infrastructure. This support ensures the team can continue its mission of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation across Limpopo.