We feel that FreeMe has really come of age during the last few months. With a record number of mammals coming in from all over the Midlands, we realise that all the hard ground work has finally paid off. The Public now know who to contact and, as quickly as possible, each animal is collected or delivered to the Clinic. The Staff deal with each admittance capably and between Roz, Brian and Israel, there is always a trained person on hand to deal with the traumatised patient. The result - a full clinic with 8 jackal pups, five serval, two mongoose, four duiker, one bushbuck, two gennets, one Reedbuck, various owls, one very large Eland and no losses. How awesome is that!!
Perhaps, the story of the little Reedbuck sums it up best. Brought in on Sunday morning, this poor little thing of about three weeks, had been picked up by two ladies at Sakabula with not one, but two, broken legs. Given that the breaks were at least two days old, this baby had not been able to suckle for that long. Add to that a bitterly cold, wet weekend and the chances for success are extremely slim. Roz was at an Open Garden chasing another elusive buck (this time of the Randela type), and arrived to find Israel in charge, a drip up and a heater going. Monday morning, we were truly amazed to find the youngster trying to stand and bleating for a bottle. Now with two heavily bandaged legs, he is tottering around and getting stronger by the day. He was obviously not ready to give up on life and goes down as one of our true survivors. So we are bleating at the moment as well, our non stop plea for milk, milk and more milk of the full cream, long life variety. Come on teachers, get your classes involved and have a milk challenge day.
News and pictures kindly provided by FreeMe