Currently, most orphaned wild animals are left for “nature to take care of herself”, which means that any baby wild animal will surely die being unable to fend for itself.

And this is in a part of Africa where the majestic wild elephants, rhino, leopard, cheetah, etc. once roamed freely. These animals can now only be seen in limited numbers in protected reserves.

Our goal is to give the orphans the survival skills needed, which they would have learned from their parents, so that they can return to the wild when the time comes.

Suni-Ridge Sand Forest Park isn’t big enough to establish a full orphanage, but in the mean time, a section of the reserve could be used to set up a provisional Wildlife Orphanage, in order to start rescuing young orphaned animals. The idea would be to join forces with our neighbours and local communities to create the space needed that is big enough to create the final version of the Wildlife Orphanage.

please click on the picture to see an enlarged copy

Not only could we care for orphaned wildlife babies, the orphanage would also be a great source of work, and therefore income, for the local communities, because we wildlife keepers, guards, instructors, cooks, etc. would be needed.

Increasing the awareness within local communities of the necessity of conservation will addressed by giving instruction at schools, teaching courses, and training youngsters to become animal caretakers.

Naturally, sponsors would have (limited) access to the grounds, so that they could see what we’re doing and how we’re taking care of the young orphans.

The idea is to start with minimal provisions, which could be relocated to the definite site when it’s available. To give you an idea what is needed, below is a list of the minimal requirements for starting an orphanage:

• 5 large stables
• 5 medium sized stables
• 5 small stables
• Wirecages / transport crates
• Living accomodation, office space, storage spaces for the food, milk powder, medicines and a kitchen to prepare the food and meds in
• living accomodation for 2/3 keepers
• 1 truck
• 1 4×4 vehicle
• wages for 2/3 keepers incl. meals and workclothes
• building a stockade around the compound to keep the animals safe and prevent them from wandering of. This way they can move around freely under the supervision of the keepers.
  We would need 2 – 3 bomas where they could be quiet and undisturbed
• Administration and general running costs e.g. computer with an internet connection, veterinary costs, medicines, rental costs of a rescue plane (where necessary), cost of a rescue team, maintenance cars/ buildings /diesel / etc.