LOOKING after an orphaned cheetah, a once-loved pet monkey or injured grey duiker is hard work – especially if most volunteers had to leave the country on short notice.
Add to that, several Cape vultures and the majestic black eagle, as well as the endangered blue and crowned cranes. And not to forget about the hundreds of unwanted African greys.
To help manage the ever-increasing workload, African Dawn Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary – a non-profit organisation that has been at the heart of its community for more than 20 years – is appealing to all wildlife enthusiasts to join their formidable team as volunteers.
“The Covid-19 lockdown has presented a number of problems for us, both financially and in terms of the workload,” says African Dawn founder and owner, Percival Hickman. “The sanctuary depends mainly on international volunteers; however, most of our volunteers had to be sent home due to the pandemic.
“The remaining staff members now have the difficult task of running the organisation.”
But Hickman is determined: closure is not an option.
“We have a duty to care for our animals and birds – no matter the circumstances,” he says.
“We are doing everything we can to keep our animals fed and well, but we desperately need volunteers and donations from the public as we almost entirely rely on the entry fee from visitors to raise the money we need – something that is not possible at the moment.
“So, it is hard.”
African Dawn
African Dawn is a safe sanctuary for cheetahs, servals, caracal, monkeys, squirrels, mongooses, meerkats and crocodile, as well as numerous buck species including grysbok, grey duiker and blue duiker.
It being home to over 250 species of birds indigenous to South Africa and further afield, the organisation boasts the largest aviary in the Eastern Cape. Birds include Knysna loeries, laughing doves, vibrant bishops, Cape vultures, black eagles and blue and crowned cranes, as well as numerous parrot species, including the African grey, macaws and cockatoos.
It also serves as a sanctuary which takes in unwanted pets such as parrots and monkeys.
More information
Apart from a shortage of volunteers, the sanctuary has seen much-needed donations plummet due to the Covid-19 lockdown – putting a stop to visitors frequenting the organisation.
They are in desperate need of corn, seed, soft fresh fruit, antelope pellets, cat pellets and lucerne.
Donations can be dropped off at African Dawn situated near Thornhill just of the N2 between Jeffreys Bay and Port Elizabeth. Collection can also be arranged.
Monetary donations can be made to African Dawn at Nedbank, account number 2010891694.
“All proceeds – big or small – will make a difference by enabling us to continue to feed and care for all our animals and to keep the sanctuary operational,” says Hickman.
For more information, contact Hickman at 083 270 3397 or send an email to africandawn@lantic.net. Alternatively, visit www.africandawnwildlifesanctuary.com.
