Tenikwa’s wildlife rehabilitation program grew from humble beginnings in 2002 when the founders started rehabilitating injured birds in a wooden shed behind their house.
Over the last 17 years of operation, the wildlife hospital has admitted approximately 200 – 300 animals each year. These animals arrive at Tenikwa through the nature authorities managing the area, the general public and the community at large. The rehabilitation activities of Tenikwa are subject to strict permit conditions issued by several governmental regulatory bodies such as The Department of Environment and CapeNature Conservation Services. Releases are carried out in conjunction with nature authorities and other conservation bodies.
Animals under rehabilitation are kept away from the general public. Animals seen by guests on tour are not releasable and act as inspiration for their species in the wild.
Whilst day visitors and overnight guests visiting Tenikwa provide the bulk of funds to run the facility; the treatment, specialized care and complexity of successfully returning animals to the wild is a very expensive exercise and the prolonged impact of the CoVid pandemic and slow recovery of the tourism industry has caused Tenikwa to reassess its ability to offer this service.
Tenikwa will no longer admit wildlife for rehabilitation from the end of March 2023. Animals already in rehabilitation will remain at Tenikwa and complete their rehabilitation process for release.
