FreeMe Wildlife

FreeMe Wildlife Inspiring an engaging and educated empathy for our wildlife and the environment. To help, please go to: www.freemewildlife.org
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All treatment of indigenous wildlife at FreeMe Wildlife is free of charge and we rely solely on the support of our community and corporate sponsors to fund our center.

The FreeMe Wildlife Experience...❤Students on the 3 month FreeMe Wildlife Experience are immersed fully into the work do...
14/05/2026

The FreeMe Wildlife Experience...❤

Students on the 3 month FreeMe Wildlife Experience are immersed fully into the work done at FreeMe Wildlife, while learning in structured program. That program consists of comprehensive manuals supported by weekly lectures and practical demonstrations and monthly assessment questionnaires and practical assignments. 🔬📑📝💉

But, behind this structure is the drive and passion to empower the next generation of people who are going to care for wildlife, whether it is through careers in conservation, research, captive management, welfare, animal science, or wildlife rehabilitation sectors. 👩‍⚕️🧑‍🔬🐾

We love what we do, and how we do it...❤

Helping keep our team strong...💪A very big thank you to Sister Caroline, for always making sure our staff are safe with ...
14/05/2026

Helping keep our team strong...💪

A very big thank you to Sister Caroline, for always making sure our staff are safe with vaccinations against rabies and tetanus.

Your care, support, and dedication never go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate everything you do for our team.🫵❤

Thank you for helping us continue doing what we love, safely.😀

We love what we do, and how we do it... ❤

13/05/2026

Nibbling at the tall grass 🌱❤️

After arriving as a newborn, this Nyala is now ready for release, already showing the natural behaviour needed for life back in the wild.🥳
And with his green FreeMe Wildlife ear tag, he’ll be easy to spot 🤩

But how are Nyala built for browsing?! 🤔

Like all antelope species, Nyala do not have upper incisors. Instead, they rely on a tough dental pad on the top jaw and sharp lower incisors below, working together like a natural cutting system to clip vegetation efficiently. The back molars then grind plant material thoroughly for digestion.😱

This specialised tooth structure is perfectly adapted for selective browsing, allowing them to feed efficiently on leaves, shoots, and grasses depending on what the environment provides.🤩

We love what we do, and how we do it… ❤️

12/05/2026

The Bandits… ❤️

These young banded mongoose are now in their “teenage” stage—more independent, more curious, and always the first to claim a warm spot in the morning sun. ☀️

Basking isn’t just comfort, it helps regulate body temperature after cool nights, especially before they become active and start foraging and exploring. As they grow, this simple morning routine supports their energy levels and keeps their bodies ready for the fast-paced movements mongooses are known for.

We love what we do, and how we do it… ❤️

The FreeMe Wildlife Experience...❤Our students have made it to their second month of the course. 🥳👨‍🎓The students have l...
12/05/2026

The FreeMe Wildlife Experience...❤

Our students have made it to their second month of the course. 🥳👨‍🎓

The students have learnt the steps of the admission protocol, and they have observed a few dozen admissions lead by our rehab team, now they get to practice what they have been taught (closely supervised, of course😂).

The students work systematically to stabilize then examine patient, making use of our intake forms to ensure nothing is overlooked. Once the patient has been treated and made comfortable, they must decide on a diagnosis and continued treatment plan. ❤🐾

While they receive guidance at every step of the way, our students get the opportunity to learn, grow, and think for themselves. 🧐

We love what we do, and how we do it... ❤

We don’t win them all… 💔After hanging in there for 3 days, and initially appearing to perk up, our little Common Mole-Ra...
11/05/2026

We don’t win them all… 💔

After hanging in there for 3 days, and initially appearing to perk up, our little Common Mole-Rat passed away.

Despite our best efforts to safely and slowly warm this little one up and provide supportive treatments to help him recover, the ordeal proved to be too much for his body to handle.

This course of events is not uncommon for hypothermic patients. Hypothermia may cause long-term damage to nerves, muscles, and organs. Very young animals (like this baby) are also more susceptible to delayed complications.

While not a happy ending, we made sure to what we could to ease his suffering in his last days.

We love what we do, and how we do it... ❤

Built in sun-visor! 😱The prominent brow ridge of a Cape vulture acts like a natural sunshade, helping reduce glare while...
11/05/2026

Built in sun-visor! 😱

The prominent brow ridge of a Cape vulture acts like a natural sunshade, helping reduce glare while the bird scans the landscape from high above for carcasses.
This specialised structure protects the eyes from harsh sunlight and improves visibility during long hours spent soaring.🤩

We love what we do, and how we do it… ❤️

Enclosure design... 🐾🏜️A lot of thought goes in to building, setting up, and enriching our enclosures. 🤔💭Each type of an...
10/05/2026

Enclosure design... 🐾🏜️

A lot of thought goes in to building, setting up, and enriching our enclosures. 🤔💭

Each type of animal has its own needs and considerations. Species, age, injuries, attitude, habitat, weather, social behaviour... these are some of the main aspects that need to be taken in to account when choosing and setting up an enclosure.

🐒🐗🦇🦉🦓🦦🐦‍⬛🐈🐕

Young animals need space to explore, play, and learn. Older patients need to stay fit and mentally simulated. All animals need a natural environment to give them the freedom to express natural behaviours.

Pictured above is a predator enclosure. The ceiling of the enclosure is enclosed with metal mesh to prevent cat-like predators from climbing out. The floor is enforced with cement to prevent dog-like predators from digging out. A double door system prevents patients from making a run for it when staff enter or exit an enclosure.🗝🐾

Elements like sand, ponds, ladders, branches, logs, rocks, dens, hay, and much more are distributed throughout the enclosure and changed often. Leaf piles, birds nests, insects, eggs, and ice blocks are also cycled through to keep the patients engaged in natural enrichment. We avoid using any artificial toys or objects wherever we can. 🌿🪵🪺

When working with wildlife we follow nature as closely as possible, and in order to do so, we must intimately understand each species. With around 200 different species admitted each year, this means our team are constantly researching the patients in our care to provide them with everything they need for the best chance of survival. ❤

We love what we do, and how we do it... ❤

10/05/2026

Duiker update! ❤️

And in no time… the FreeMe Wildlife Team have the little lamb suckling!🥳

And of course a bit of stimulation after her bottle, but why is this important? 🤔

Stimulating any young animals after a bottle feed is vital because, in the wild, the mother would lick the baby to encourage urination and defecation. Young animals cannot always eliminate waste properly on their own, so gently stimulating the area with warm, damp cotton wool helps prevent bloating, constipation, and discomfort while supporting healthy digestive and urinary function. 🙏🏼

We love what we do, and how we do it… ❤️

Winter is coming... ❄🏔As the seasons change, the last of the summer babies are trickling in. At the peak of the season, ...
09/05/2026

Winter is coming... ❄🏔

As the seasons change, the last of the summer babies are trickling in. At the peak of the season, we typically have dozens of garden birds in care at any one time. 🐣🐥🐦

As the months get colder and food becomes more scarce, the breeding slows down.

Some species, such as doves and pigeons, may breed year round due to artificial food availability from bird feeders and baths. 🐦🍔

Keep an eye on our page to see which winter babies are starting to come in. 🦉🐱

We love what we do, and how we do it... ❤

It's how we do the small things that count. ❤A young Common Mole-Rat, found cold, alone, and covered in ants on a sidewa...
09/05/2026

It's how we do the small things that count. ❤

A young Common Mole-Rat, found cold, alone, and covered in ants on a sidewalk. Luckily, a kind-hearted rescuer spotted the little guy and quickly came to his aid. A big thank you to Janet for looking out for this little Mole-Rat and bringing him straight through to us. 🥰

Cold, weak, and dehydrated, time was of the essence to give this little guy a shot at survival. At only 20g and a couple of months old, this little one should still be with his colony. Common Mole-Rats are fossorial rodents that rarely leave their tunnel systems, and finding one above ground is highly unusual. 🐭🐾

On admission, we immediately got to work warming the patient up and administering fluids to help him recover. Despite his condition, he did his best to fight us off. 🐀🐁🐭

Finally, we placed him in a warm spot while we set up an enclosure to mimic his natural habitat to set him at easy during his recovery. Time will tell if he will pull through, but so far he seems like a little fighter. ❤🐾

We love what we do, and how we do it... ❤

Address

Karkloof Road
Howick
3290

Telephone

+27333303036

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