Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre

23/06/2024

PLEASE NOTE: Our deli is currently undergoing renovations which means that for the time being, we are only able to provide pre-packed snacks and drinks. We apologise for the inconvenience.

22/06/2024

Happy purrs as the cubs eagerly wait for the guides to set up the lure for another workout.

21/06/2024

Happy WORLD GIRAFFE DAY! What’s not to love about these beautiful animals, with their distinctive long necks, large eyes, and of course their stunning patterns, which make them look rather dapper. Each year at this time, we also once again make special mention of our beautiful Shuri, who only lived with us for a short time, but she is always with us in spirit.

Here's a video showing Shuri wearing her warm blanket. Wasn’t she just too adorable?

20/06/2024

Here’s another view of the gang grazing at the visitor’s pick-up area. The sables were feeding there earlier and hadn’t finished all their lucerne – which, as you can see, isn’t going to waste. 🦏🦏🦏🦏🦏🐑🐑

19/06/2024

While this wild dog was curious about the human holding the camera, it wasn’t brave enough to come any closer and investigate further. 🐾

18/06/2024

18/06/2024

There’s plenty to see, sniff, taste and scratch against as the gang explores the visitor pick-up area. During the day, they are left to roam before being let back into their boma in the late afternoon/early evening.

17/06/2024

Musina is enjoying a tasty bone. For two days a week, she has what we call starving days, and isn’t given her usual meat meal. This mimics behaviour in the wild, where predators don’t eat every day.

16/06/2024

The late afternoon winter sunlight peers through the trees as the gang feasts on another teff and lucerne meal.

15/06/2024

Our cheetahs are given a diet of meat and supplements, which has taken many years of research to formulate to ensure that they receive the best nutrition for growth and development. The meat is portioned out for each cheetah and placed into a feeding enclosure, which is separated from the wider area by a fence and sliding gate, which is opened to bring the cheetahs in once the guides have placed the food down and left the area. As you can see, these two were eagerly awaiting their breakfast.

14/06/2024

On the 20th of May we introduced our latest rescue – a Western Barn Owlet we named Phoenix. He/she was kicked out of the nest and has been cared for at HESC ever since. Phoenix is doing well, and Antoinette had quite a task to try and take a photo – because sitting still is not Phoenix’s favourite way to pass the time.

13/06/2024

We need your help to support our rhinos. Costs are exorbitant, and we are reliant on donations to ensure that we offer them the best care possible. Please consider a donation to either our adult rhinos, or our rhino calves, through our GlobalGiving projects, which are facilitated by Wildlife Conservation Trust.

DONATE TO OUR ADULT RHINOS: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/big-rhinos-need-big-hearts-too

DONATE TO OUR RHINO CALVES: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/help-baby-rhinos

12/06/2024

Another juicy meat treat for the wild dogs. In the wild, wild dogs can tear into their catch quickly with the help of sharp blade-like lower teeth. Because they are at risk of losing their prey to other predators, they make light work of the whole process, from hunting to eating.

11/06/2024

Winter has well and truly set in now, and along with the cold snaps comes a fair amount of wind. The gang doesn’t seem to care – and casually carry on munching on their lucerne as it is placed inside their boma.

10/06/2024

Savannah’s curiosity was piqued when one of our guides enticed her with a toy to chase. She did momentarily lose interest to attend to something at the bottom of her paw. For those who don’t know her story – she was brought through to HESC by a family who had found her abandoned and tried to raise her as a house cat. Because she is used to human interaction, she cannot be released – and will instead live out her days peacefully here with us.

09/06/2024

An aerial view showing some serious grazing activity happening courtesy of Lula, Khulula, Zita and Loverboy.

08/06/2024

Watch this awesome video which shows one of our cheetahs in slow motion chasing after the lure – eventually turning over and jumping above the mobile phone as it films the whole event.

07/06/2024

Here’s a super sweet showing a very thirsty 3-month-old Shuri enjoying every last drop of her milk feed – drool effect comes standard. We miss you, girl.

06/06/2024

A recent participant in our WILDLIFE CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE programme got to see first-hand what taking care of rhino calves involves. If you would like more information on our programmes (catering to both younger and older age groups), please email [email protected].

Book now and 🦏 RECEIVE A DISCOUNT!! 🦏 Terms & Conditions apply.

Our HESC WILDLIFE CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE will allow you to gain an in-depth knowledge of nature conservation through targeted informal lectures, external courses from professional organisations, as well as the physical work at the HESC, where you will get first-hand experience of our day-to-day operations.

TWO AGE-APPROPRIATE EXPERIENCES AVAILABLE:

1. The King Cheetahs (18 – 34)
2. The Regal Rhinos (35 and up)

05/06/2024

At HESC, the welfare of our animals remains our priority, so when there are cases where a suitable retirement home is found, we do our due diligence before making any decisions. Such was the case with Crunchie – one of our old cheetahs who had played a vital role in our breeding programme; hence he wasn’t released in his younger years. He has now been moved to Daktari Bush School and Wildlife Orphanage, an NGO working to educate and inspire children to value their environment. They offer a 5-day Environmental Education Programme, where children help to take care of their animals and learn valuable lessons. Daktari also hosts volunteers from around the world who commit to teaching during their stay. We can confidently state that HESC has over the years paid many visits to Daktari, and now to Crunchie as well, and we are happy that he is receiving care of the highest standard. We will miss you boy, but we know that this is where you will be happiest. And we will visit again soon.

Here is a short video showing Crunchie living his best life at Daktari.

04/06/2024

Have you been tuning in to see the live footage from our rhino boma yet? Remember to start watching from late afternoon to early morning South African time, when the rhinos are back in the boma. Here is a highlight showing little Peter enjoying a drink of water before joining the others to munch on lucerne.

WATCH LIVE: https://hesc1.africam.com

03/06/2024

After giving Gumpy a chicken neck directly, Estian distributes the rest around Gumpy’s enclosure to encourage him to search for them himself. But Gumpy would prefers to show off the food he has - and hang around for another piece or two from Estian instead. 😂

02/06/2024

Someone is kicking up a fuss because his milk is finished …

01/06/2024

Boop the snoot for .

31/05/2024

Look who’s taking advantage of the situation … while two of the wild dogs tear into a piece of meat together, they don’t notice that not only did the third dog take a whole piece of meat for itself – but went back and managed to run off with a third piece – which had gone unnoticed by the others.

30/05/2024

Drink up and do good. Have you tried The Royal Rhino cream liqueur yet? Delicious on its own, mixed into a milkshake, or blended with coffee. Whichever way you like it, you’ll not only be able to savour the delicious taste, but also know that with every bottle sold, you have helped to support our rhinos too.

Available throughout South Africa, as well as selected locations in the USA, Australia and Dubai.

For more info, visit: https://cutt.ly/79qlmdc

Not for sale to persons under the age of 18.

29/05/2024

It’s Election Day here in South Africa today – but we want to know if Bula and Peter get your vote for the cutest baby rhinos? Also, if you can donate a milk feed for them through our Global Giving project (through Wildlife Conservation Trust) – we would appreciate it!

DONATE HERE: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/help-baby-rhinos

28/05/2024

This slightly different video angle taken by our volunteer Anri shows the vultures and Marabou storks swooping in to peck off the spoils.

27/05/2024

Our founder Mrs Lente Roode was invited to the Kingsmead Book Fair over the weekend, where 11-year-old author Muhammad Wadee presented a book he has written, called Charlie Cheetah and the Chain. The story is about a young and inquisitive cheetah cub who is curious why the vast savannah planes are dry and overgrazed. His mum cleverly teachers him and the reader the important role that the cheetah plays in the food chain and the fine balance of our ecosystem. Is it possible that human beings are short-sighted? Can we not see the impact of our activities on planet earth, it’s habitat and global warming? Will Charlie Cheetah open the eyes of the youth?

Mohammad has been a keen follower and admirer of Mrs Roode and the HESC animals – so it was an absolute treat for the two to finally meet in person and participate in the book launch session.

Muhammad’s book can be purchased from Exclusive Books, amazon.com, Kindle, and more. An ideal gift for the kids! Thank you Mohammad for helping to spread the conservation message. We look forward to many more great things from you. Keep it up!

26/05/2024

Bula shows his jealous side and is still trying to intercept Peter’s extra milk feed. He is going through his weaning process and therefore gets less feeds per day, but more milk per feed.