Petronel Niewoud - Founder
Rhino in rehab
Care for Wild (CFW) is located in the Kruger area of South Africa not far from the town of Nelspruit. It is a globally recognised conservation organisation dedicated to preserving endangered species and safeguarding the precious biodiversity of our planet. They own and operate the largest sanctuary in the world for orphaned and injured rhino’s and specialise in their rescue, rehabilitation, rewilding, and protection.
Successful rehabilitation through to the stage of rewilding, demands unwavering dedication, commitment, empathy, and perseverance which CFW have in abundance.
They have already released numerous rhinos into the wild which is critical for the survival of this endangered species but sustaining viable breeding populations in the long term relies on sufficient space and critical resources. CFW contribute significantly to this element of conservation by expanding and managing large scale protected areas.
The organisation also firmly believes that successful conservation goes hand in hand with the involvement of local communities and they place people at the core of their mission by empowering and engaging rural communities as essential partners in preserving biodiversity. OAT is very proud to be one of CFW key supporters of both their welfare and conservation work.
What Care for Wild does
-
Work closely with South African National Parks, provincial parks, and private rhino owners to rescue orphaned or injured rhinos.
​​
-
Provide and operate a comprehensive Rhino rehabilitation and rewilding unit, a complex, dynamic and lengthy process that prepares orphaned or injured rhinos for reintroduction into their natural ecosystem.
​
-
Establish viable breeding populations and in 2022, a significant milestone was achieved with the birth of the world's first rhino calf to parents both orphaned from poaching.
​
-
Actively contribute to rewilding large scale natural landscapes and ecosystems and in partnership with the SA government, manage thousands of hectares of protected areas.​​​
How Olsen Animal Trust helps
-
Annual contribution towards the welfare of rescued rhinos
-
Provide a contingent fund to help with the rescue and rehabilitation of other species that regularly come CFW’s way.
​
-
Annual contribution towards CFW’s management of the Barberton and Mountainlands protected areas for the benefit of wildlife released or residing in these areas.
Project Images - hover over for details
Rescue missions
Rescuing orphaned rhino is no easy task. It requires veterinary skills and the quickest forms of transport to minimise stress.
Rehabilittation
The rehabilitation process is very complex and requires the expertise of vets and carers who work 24/7 ensuring they receive the best chance of survival.
Rewilding process
The rewilding of the rescued rhinos is so important, especially as wild population numbers are still down due to extensive poaching for their horn. CFW have thousands of hectares of land under their management and protection which is vital not only for the safe rewilding of recovered rhino, but also for the protection of other wildlife species endemic to the region.
OATOKE at Care for Wild
Pictured here is Dave, aka our OAToke during one of his visits to CFW together with the founders Petronel and Chris.
Protected landscapes
Mountainlands – one of the protected area landscapes under CFW management and protection.
Growing populations
One of the great success stories of the CFW project is that the rehabilitated rhinos are starting to reproduce which is great news for the conservation of the species.
Security & protection
CFW operate an extensive anti poaching / security facility that protects both the rehabilitation facility and protected areas they manage. This ranges from intelligent investigators operating behind the scenes working to combat illegal poaching, teams of anti-poaching rangers who patrol on foot with specifically trained dogs and also rangers on horseback. All of this activity is critical to ensure the protection of the rhino.
Community programmes
CFW are big advocates of working with the communities that surround the protected areas. This encourages good relations and helps to ensure that everyone is invested in protecting the wildlife they live alongside with. Many business initiative that CFW operate in partnerships with communities are commercial agricultural farms.
Conservation education
Educating the next generation is vital for future conservation and CFW operate education outreach programmes within the communities.
Owl in rehab
Although CFW specialise in the rehabilitation of rhinos, they often take in and treat other wildlife species in need. Pictured here is an Owl who despite having recovered fully from is injuries, still spends time with his foster mum Petronel. Other species include various antelope, pangolin, hippo and more.
Rescued hippos
Two resident hippo within the CFW facility.
Companion animals
Companion animals play avital role in the rehabilitation of orphaned rhinos and indeed with other orphaned species such as elephants too. Pictured here is a companion zebra for this rhino who will keep him company until he is big enough and well enough to join a group of other orphaned rhinos which in the next stage in the rehabilitation process.
For further information on the work of Care for Wild please visit www.careforwild.co.za