FOSTER OUR WILDLIFE FRIENDS
musina
- Female
- R500 / $30
Musina loves attention and will immediately come towards the fence of her enclosure when a guide is in sight. Of course she is still a wild animal, so she needs to be treated as such. Musina was just a few weeks old when she was rescued in 2017. She was seen running around a tree where her mother had died in the hollowed-out tree trunk. She is now a healthy leopard who would not have been alive had she not been brought to HESC.
savannah
- Female
- R150 / $10
Savannah spends her days relaxing, grooming herself, and playing with the odd toy the carers provide for her when they enter her enclosure to clean her dam or feed her. This provides her with much-needed exercise and stimulation. She was brought through to HESC by a family who had hand reared her. She is used to people and therefore will not be released.
david
- Male
- R200 / $12
In 2017, a big-hearted Anatolian Shepherd trotted into our lives – bold, curious, and demanding cuddles at every corner. At just 4 months old, he met Esmé, and their bond was instant. Two kindred spirits, inseparable from the start. Though their time living together was brief, their friendship never faded. Today, he still lights up seeing Esmé during afternoon checks with our curator team, tail wagging and eyes sparkling with joy.
gumpy
- Male
- R150 en $10
Gumpy is the resident Southern Ground hornbill at HESC who was brought to HESC as a breeding pair loan from the Mabula Hornbill Project. Southern Ground hornbills will lay only two eggs every 5 – 6 years. One chick will be known as the primary chick, which is kept by the parents and taken care of. The other chick will be discarded and left for dead. An endangered species, these birds can live up to 60 years in captivity.
liquorice
- Male
- R200 / $12
Liquorice is all about getting affection from the humans at HESC – and even resorted to repeatedly scratching curator Anya’s foot to get a rub from her while she was stationed with him and Peter in the quarantine area. Liquorice was brought in as a tiny lamb to be Peter’s companion but made sure the attention went his way as well. He is also highly food motivated – and REALLY loves his “Bokkiekos” / gamefeed pellets
mielie
- Female
- R200 / $12
Mielie can be timid at times and makes sure to stay close to Esmé. This timid side of her nature is tested however when the sables try to steal her food. Then her feisty side quickly emerges. Mielie arrived in 2017 shortly after Esmé and was specifically brought in to keep her company. These two became inseparable and have been together ever since.
paulie
- Male
- R100 / $7
Rescued in 2022, Paulie the African Grey arrived shy and uncertain. But with love and care, he blossomed into a cheeky, chatty member of the HESC family. From joyful whistles to perfectly timed paper shredding, Paulie’s become a favourite among staff – adding laughter and warmth to every workday.
THE WILDLIFE FRIENDS AT HESC (HOEDSPRUIT ENDANGERED SPECIES CENTRE)
The animals and birds available for fostering above are housed at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC). Wildlife Conservation Trust is the official fundraising facilitator for HESC.