Durban - Svings and rehabilitating wildlife can be costly, but the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (Crow) has been doing it and to aid its efforts it launched its Compass Cares Calendar on Thursday.
The calendar features wildlife species that are vulnerable or endangered and on the edge of extinction.
The initiative was launched by Compass Medical Waste Services 14 years ago to save wildlife by supporting animal welfare organisations like Crow and feral cat non-profits that care for abused, abandoned and vulnerable animals.
Compass Cares has raised more than R3 million for animal welfare.
Based in Durban, Crow is one of the country’s longest-serving wildlife rehabilitation centres that assists wild animals in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Wildlife on the Edge” – the theme of the calendar – brings to light wildlife species on the edge of extinction. The calendar displays a collection of 14 animals, many of which are vulnerable or endangered.
The 2023 Compass Cat Calendar theme, “Take me home”, highlights the importance of re-homing feral cats.
Run by a small team of staff and volunteers, Crow assists in caring for many animals including mongooses, genets, monkeys, birds, reptiles and antelope.
Its four-hectare property has 85 enclosures that are divided into the aviaries and the mammal, ICU and primate blocks to accommodate all sorts of animals.
Isolde Mellet established Crow in August 1977, after she recognised a need for a rehabilitation centre that could care for injured wildlife and educate the public about the need to protect natural resources.
It all began in her garage, where she received 150 wild birds and animals every month.
After raising R73 000, Mellet was able to turn the Old Coedmore Waterworks in Yellowwood Park, Durban, into a wildlife rehabilitation centre that still operates to this day.
Clint Halkett-Siddall, Crow’s director, said the centre releases more than 4 000 orphaned, injured and displaced wild animals every year. “Crow aims to always provide lifesaving care and treatment for wildlife in need.
As a registered non-profit organisation, Crow does not receive any government support or subsidies and is therefore 100% reliant on donations from the public to continue its work in wildlife conservation and protection.
“Crow’s vision is to be an independent, pioneering force in the rehabilitation and conservation of orphaned and injured wildlife, while promoting the preservation of their natural habitat.
We aim to achieve this vision by educating communities and equipping them with the knowledge needed to protect our natural resources and wildlife with an entrenched philosophy of working with honesty, commitment, and passion,” said Halkett-Siddall.
Education about the conservation of natural resources and wildlife remains a priority for the centre and it has a dedicated an officer who has educated more than 150 000 pupils.
In previous years the calendar initiative was supported by animal lovers and the community, and a call is being made to continue with the support.
The money raised through the calendar fund-raiser will go towards the rehabilitation and conservation of orphaned and injured animals. The calendars come in different sizes: an A3 size Cats 2023 Calendar and an A2 size Wildlife 2023 wall calendar for R150 and R200 respectively; the A5 size Wildlife 2023 tent calendar for R100 and a CD size Cats 2023 Calendar for R50.
These exclude postage costs. Orders can be made via calendars@ compass.za.net or for more information call 031 267 9700 or contact Crow on 031 462 1127 or email volunteer@ crowkzn.co.z
SUNDAY TRIBUNE