Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital

26/06/2025

Pangolin conservation is not a photo opportunity. It’s a 24-hour commitment.

True conservation is not just taking cute photos or filming “documentaries.” It’s relentless, often heartbreaking work that doesn’t stop when the cameras do.

It starts with law enforcement, who risk their lives to apprehend poachers. Then comes the intensive veterinary care—sometimes lasting weeks or months—followed by rehabilitation, and if we’re lucky, a release back into the wild.

But that’s not the end. Behind every confiscation is a legal case. Veterinary teams write expert reports—each one taking hours. We spend days traveling to and from court. Cases are often postponed; some drag on for years. Yesterday, Dr K testified in a 2022 case. Just last month—one from 2020. Our current record? 31 court appearances for a single case.

These cases matter. They give voice to the voiceless.

Yesterday, Dr K spoke about Scarlett and Miah—two pregnant pangolins rescued from poachers. We fought for them—41 days for Scarlett, 72 for Miah (the photos are of them). Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t undo the trauma they endured. We mourn them daily, but we carry their stories into the courtroom, ensuring justice is sought.

Conservation is blood, sweat, and tears. It’s costly - emotionally and financially. But we don’t give up. Ever.

Thank you to those who stand beside us and recognise the work that goes unseen.

If you’d like to help us continue - support our veterinary and legal work by sponsoring a case or making a donation:

https://www.johannesburgwildlifevet.com/make-a-donation.html

25/06/2025

Expert care is non-negotiable. All our staff have tertiary qualifications in animal related fields and we strive to always provide the highest standard of care.
Please help us to help them and support us by donating to our cause: https://www.johannesburgwildlifevet.com/make-a-donation.html

Good Things Guy

Behind every rescued wild baby is a team of experts fighting for its future, one bottle, one heartbeat, one tiny step at a time. Neonates...

12/06/2025

Emergency Admission: Barn Owl 🦉

Last week, this beautiful barn owl was brought to us by the Alberton SPCA after he was found grounded next to a road, unable to fly.

Radiographs later confirmed what we suspected—he had suffered a painful fracture to his humerus (the bone in the upper wing), most likely after being hit by a car. When he arrived, he was in shock and severe pain. Stabilizing him was our first priority before we could safely proceed with further diagnostics the next day.

Once stable, Dr K (surgery) and Dr Jess (anaesthesia) performed an intricate orthopaedic procedure. They placed an intramedullary pin along with three external fixator pins—a combination known as a hybrid fixator. This method is ideal for wild avian patients: it’s lightweight, allows the wing to move freely post-surgery, and avoids the need for restrictive bandages or extensive physiotherapy—reducing stress and human handling.

Throughout the process, our patient received IV fluids, strong pain relief, and anti-inflammatories. And here’s the best news: that same evening, he tucked into all three of his dead mice with enthusiasm!

We’re cautiously optimistic that this owl will make a full recovery and take to the skies again soon—where he belongs.

As always, our work is only possible because of your support. We’re a non-profit wildlife hospital, and every donation helps us provide lifesaving care to animals like this.

💚 Please consider supporting our work:

https://www.johannesburgwildlifevet.com/make-a-donation.html

08/06/2025

Why Neonates Need Experts

Raising neonate mammals - those tiny, helpless creatures with closed eyes and no teeth - requires more than just love and dedication. Each species has incredibly specific needs, from the composition of the milk to feeding frequency, ambient temperature, and even gut flora.

Without expert knowledge, well-meaning care can lead to devastating consequences such as:
⚠️ Metabolic bone disease
⚠️ Rickets
⚠️ Stunted growth or deformities
⚠️ Organ failure or developmental delays

These conditions are often irreversible and painful - and in many cases, fatal.

At Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, our trained team provides species-specific, expert care to give every neonate the best possible start in life. From tiny antelope to orphaned rock hyrax, each baby receives a personalised care plan tailored to their exact needs - because when it comes to wildlife, one size never fits all.

🐾 We receive no government funding and rely entirely on donations to continue this life-saving work.
🚑 From specialised milk formulas to incubators and medical care, your support makes a direct impact.

💌 If you’d like to help us give these vulnerable babies the future they deserve, please consider donating today.
See these links for more info on how to help:

Make a donation:
https://www.johannesburgwildlifevet.com/make-a-donation.html

Gift certificates:
https://www.johannesburgwildlifevet.com/gift-certificates.html

Sponsor a Species:
https://www.johannesburgwildlifevet.com/sponsor-a-species.html

🩺 Every life matters. Every detail counts. Every donation helps.

05/06/2025

Thank you Good Things Guy for always shouting loudly for all those who cannot speak.

Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital is currently facing a serious financial crisis and is appealing for public support to stay open.

04/06/2025

Flamingo Ambulance

A huge thank you to the kind-hearted people who brought this badly injured and sick young greater flamingo all the way from Zeerust to our hospital.

He was found alone in the middle of nowhere — far from any known flamingo populations — with no clues as to how he sustained such serious injuries or contracted pneumonia.

On arrival, he was immediately placed on IV fluids and started on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication. Bloodwork and radiographs suggest a severe injury, possibly affecting his spine.

Right now, he’s under intensive care around the clock. One of the photos shows him being nebulized to help treat his pneumonia.

His condition is critical, and we’re giving him every chance we can. 

Please consider helping us care for him by donating here:
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=SA4BETJ869EG2

SnapScan: https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/PXMP5766

PayFast: https://www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/shop.johannesburgwildlifevet.com

01/06/2025

Barn Owls Get a New Home!

From tiny white fluffs to fully feathered beauties—what a journey for these five barn owl chicks!

Every year, we care for many young owls, and these little ones were no different. With expert veterinary care, proper nutrition, specialised husbandry and enrichment, our team once again gave them the best possible start in life.

When it came time to plan their release, we partnered with the wonderful team at HeronBridge College to provide the perfect site. Once the owls were ready, they were ringed (thank you, Arjen) and moved into a soft-release enclosure on the school grounds.

Here, they’ll spend a few weeks adjusting to their new environment in safety, while receiving support feeding—just as they would have from their parents—until they’re fully self-sufficient.

We believe education is a powerful tool, especially when it involves the future conservationists of tomorrow.

Would your school like to get involved?
Email us at [email protected] to learn more!

31/05/2025

🩵 Slipper Day 2025 🩵

Yesterday, the team at Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital kicked off our shoes and slipped into something more comfortable – all for a cause close to our hearts

By donning our slippers and donating R20, we joined thousands of South Africans in supporting Reach For A Dream – an incredible foundation that helps children with life-threatening illnesses turn their dreams into reality. From meeting heroes to creating magical moments, Reach For A Dream brings hope and joy when it’s needed most.

It was a small act for us, but together, these small acts create big magic

The Reach For A Dream Foundation

29/05/2025

True conservation does not follow trends - it sets them.

WATCH: - a Glimpse Behind the Scenes with Dr. Karin Lourens

At a time when the world is waking up to the plight of pangolins, we’re proud to share that the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital has been leading this critical journey in South Africa from the very beginning.

Dr. Lourens was the first veterinarian in South Africa to successfully treat Temminck’s pangolins, pioneering protocols used worldwide today. Her groundbreaking research into pangolin blood values laid the foundation for the effective care and rehabilitation of this elusive and highly trafficked species.

While others are only now climbing aboard the pangolin conservation wagon, our commitment has been unwavering. Our hospital continues to set the standard in pangolin veterinary care — refining treatment protocols, driving research, and working hand-in-hand with select partners and law enforcement to give confiscated pangolins a second chance at life.

Conservation isn’t a trend. It’s a commitment.

Every patient matters. Every life counts.

Watch the video below to hear directly from Dr. Lourens about the pioneering work happening behind our doors.

18/05/2025

Your support helps a long-crested Eagle in Dire Straits

Not long ago, we admitted a badly injured long-crested eagle, later named Barry. We suspect he had been hit by a car, suffering severe head trauma.

On admission, Barry was in shock—unable to stand, unwilling to open his eyes, and worst of all, completely blind. His eyes were fine, but the blindness was caused by trauma to his brain—known as central blindness. This condition is common in birds with head injuries but often missed by those without experience. It carries a guarded prognosis, as damage to the visual cortex isn’t always reversible. Time was critical—the sooner treatment began, the better the chances of reducing brain swelling.

Barry spent weeks with us, receiving intensive care: IV fluids, anti-inflammatories, pain relief, and tube feeding with EmerAidVet Carnivore 3–4 times a day, depending on his metabolic needs. In these cases, supportive care is everything—keeping the body functioning while giving the brain a chance to heal.

It was hard not to lose hope, but we never gave up on him. Slowly, his vision began to return. And then one day, Barry flew onto his perch, grabbed the prey we’d left for him, and ate it—cool as anything, as if nothing had ever been wrong.

Barry could see again!

Once we were absolutely certain his eyesight was fully restored, he was fitted with a SAFRING (thank you, Arjen, for always bringing the bling!) and released at Irene Dairy Farm.

There were many moments when we felt like giving up—but thankfully, we didn’t. Huge thanks to Elaine for being Barry’s tireless champion, even though he was never quite the sharpest tool in the shed!

Please watch the release video in the comment section.