In 2002, Len and Mandy Freeman uprooted their lives in KwaZulu Natal to move to the beautiful Garden Route seaside town of Plettenberg Bay. As their skills in nursing wild animals back to health became known in the community, Len and Mandy realized that there was a great need in the area for a fully functioning Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. The ever growing human population descending on the Garden Route, along with high levels of unemployment and poverty in the migrant workers flocking to the area in search of work, is placing a heavy toll on wildlife populations.

Tenikwa Rehabilitation Centre started operating humbly out of a little wooden shed in 2003. In fact, this was the very same shed that Len lived in for a year whilst he built the infrastructure at Tenikwa.

The first season of Tenikwa Awareness Centre was very successful and the takings funded the construction of a proper wildlife clinic and surgery. As the rehabilitation centre accepts any injured or abandoned wildlife, it has to be remarkably flexible in its design, functioning and food sources.

In one week, the centre can accept anything from 15 baby penguins washed up during heavy seas, to a tiny ferocious caracal cub abandoned through the senseless killing of its mother, to a concussed Wood Owl knocked over on the highway.

Since there are a variety of species that the centre accepts, Tenikwa must also grow colonies of mealworm, crickets and grubs. A near-natural diet is essential if the animal is to be returned to the wild.

In accordance with legislation, no animals under rehabilitation may be shown to the public; therefore the Rehabilitation Centre and the animals being treated are kept away from the public eye, and captive bred animals that are not suitable for release are used for the public awareness program. Entrance fees from the Awareness Centre are used to fund the running costs of the rehabilitation centre.

Any donations, great or small, are always welcome. The rehabilitation centre is a Section 21, Non-Profit Organisation, Registration Number 9300/29955

Our role as a rehabilitator is to give the animal a second chance at life. The animal may choose to fight, or give up the will to live. We respect that choice, although sometimes it is very hard to say good-bye.

Tenikwa's first Rehab Clinic operated from a wooden shed	Tenikwa’s newly built Rehab Hospital & Surgery opened in Aug 2008	Len and Mandy rehydrating a penguin

 

CLICK HERE to link to Tenikwa's full Rehabilitation Website and Knowledge Banks

 

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It often happens that you come across what looks like an abandoned baby bird or animal.  It may just be that the mother is away looking for food, or the bird is at a stage where it is out the nest but still being fed by the parents.  Remember, wild parents are the best thing for the wild baby, so if there is a chance that the parents will come back, please consider this before diving into action to “rescue” a wild animal.

The main thing to remember when you come across an injured or abandoned wild animal, is that stress kills.  You need to work very quietly with the animal without any children or domestic animals interfering with you catching the animal.

As with humans, the first 24 hours of rescue are really the most important for the survival of the animal, so the sooner you can get it to a rehabilitation centre, the better.

Abandoned chicks

The best thing to do, if you come across an abandoned nest or baby, is not to act at all for a while, unless it is an obvious situation like a young baby fallen out the nest and you can pick the baby up gently and put it back. Otherwise, keep your distance and watch.  Perhaps the parents are away catching food and will return.  Perhaps the baby has just fledged (the natural time for the baby to leave the nest, but will still be cared for by its parents).  If after 2 hours, the parents have not returned, it is likely that they are not coming back, and then a decision can be made to either remove the babies or let nature take its course.

If you take the chick away, take a cardboard box, puncture holes around the top and line it with a dry towel. Wrap a hotwater bottle in another towel and place it on the side of the box.  Use tissue paper to create a little hollow next to the hotwater bottle and place the chick in the hollowed out area.  Make sure that the chick can move away from the hotwater bottle if it gets too hot.  Cover the box with another dry towel.  Do not attempt to give the chick any water or food.  Take it to a rehabilitation centre as soon as you can.

Injured animal or bird on the side of the road

In this situation, it is clear that the animal needs help.  If you have a towel available, put the towel or jersey over the bird/animal and pick it up.  Take it immediately to the nearest vet or rehabilitation centre.  If you are too scared to pick it up in case it bites you, make sure that you report it to your vet, animal welfare organization or nearest rehabilitation centre. Do not attempt to give the animal water or food, this may cause complications if the animal has to be sedated for treatment

Penguin on the beach

This applies to areas where penguin colonies are not present, eg Knyna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma.  Wrap a towel around the penguin. Pick it up being careful not to get pecked. Put it in a box lined with a dry towel and bring it to the rehabilitation centre asap or drop it off at Cape Nature Offices.  Do not try to feed it anything or give it water.  Do not get it wet.  If it is shivering, wrap a hot water bottle in a towel and put it in the box next to the penguin.

Abandoned baby wild animals (eg caracal cubs)

Please do not attempt to raise wild animals yourself.  Wild animals such as Caracals, do not make good pets.  When they grow up, they become unpredictable and dangerous.  Besides this, you are taking them out of the wild, and if you don’t raise them correctly, they may never have the opportunity of being able to be returned to the wild.

Pick up the animal in a towel or jersey and place it in a box lined with a towel. Close the lid or make sure the animal cannot escape.  Bring it to the centre as soon as possible.  Please do not give it milk, water or any food.  This may cause the animal to inhale the water into its lungs, or give it diarrhea which if it is already weak, may kill it.  Do the right thing and bring it to a rehabilitation centre so that it can be returned to the wild.

Dealing with a beached Seal

Most seals seen on land are resting and should be left alone to do just that but people get up close, take pictures and yell back and forth which doesn't help. If you are worried about the seal and it doesnt appear to have any injuries. Just keep an eye on it for a couple 3 or 4 days and if they havnt moves then you are welcom to call us. If you see people harassing the seal then please call us ir Cape Nature.

Tenikwa Rehabilitation Centre Wish List

Our Rehabilitation Centre assists all injured wildlife on the Garden Route in need of care and rehabilitation back into the wild. We are being kept exceptionally busy these days and are in dire need of funding and assistance with simple items as per the list below :

Supply & install a Metal or porcelain Wash basin in the hospital

An ‘Autoclave’ which sterilises instruments by steam

A fridge so we can keep all our vegetables and defrosted meat cool to prevent it from going off...

A walk in refrigerator for the meat for the animals

Infrared lamp bulbs

Setting up a wash station area for oiled penguins

Heavy duty rain gear / oilskins for Penguin feeding

Waders (like for fly fishing) to rescue birds out of boggy areas

Stainless steel operating table

A Theatre light or a free standing spot light

We are always in need of Consumables such as -

Mops, squeegees, brooms, hot water bottles, towels, polar fleece baby blankets, blankets, dish washing liquid, sterilizing hand wash liquid & cream, tile cleaner, large kitchen scissors, knives, cotton wool, swabs, sponges, rubber gloves, mutton cloth, teff hay & oats straw for bedding

Office supplies such as pens, rulers, erasers, high lighters, staples, white board markers and paper so we can keep all the animals records up to date...

Tins of ‘Fancy Feast’ tinned cat soft food – we use this extensively to encourage feeding on recuperating animals

Dog food, pellets or tins, especially for small breed dogs. Tick and flee power and doggie treats are needed for the monthly Clinic held at Kurland Village Community Centre.

We would be extremely grateful for any donation of the above goods. Items can be dropped off at Tenikwa Rehabilitation Centre, Forest Hall Road, The Crags or call 044 534 8170 if they need to be collected.

Your support funds our Wildlife Rehabilitation Programme.  Our Rehabilitation Centre is a registered Non Profit Organisation (NPO 9300 29955).

If you would like to make a donation you are welcome to do so. Our account details are:

Account Name : Abrina t/a Tenikwa Rehab Centre

Bank : Nedbank

Branch : 109014

Account : 1090057164