As I sit here in South Africa at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS), I feel a mix of emotions. There is an underlying feeling of loss outweighed by the greatness of a country rich with stunning beauty and majestic life. We remain optimistic and focus on the positive as much as possible and will do so in the latter part of this message.

First though, it is with a heavy heart that ADI shares the news of the passing of Dr JW Eksteen, who treated our rescued smaller wildlife such as antelope, tortoises, and domestics including horses, pigs, and donkeys. Tragically, he lost his life after suffering a freak accident while treating a herd of buffalo.

Dr. Eksteen was an important member of our team, always making himself available to help care for our animals, regardless of the hour. Most recently, Dr. Eksteen was at ADIWS to treat ailing pot-bellied pig, Churchill, and Sammy the horse. Veterinary care of these animals is not always easy, as they are often suspicious of humans after the abuse they have endured. Dr. Eksteen, however, was always kind, patient, and empathetic. We have sent our condolences to his family and the team at Kroonstad Veterinary Hospital. May he rest in peace.

As we continue to care for ALL animal survivors of abuse and trafficking, Dr. Eksteen will forever be remembered as a someone who used his skills for the animals, which in turn, has helped get us to where we are today.

Among those he cared for are those who will now find refuge in our new safe space for small wildlife and domestic animals, the Non-Predator Reception Area. Vital to changing the world for these animals, we thank everyone who generously helped support this urgently needed facility at ADIWS which is currently under construction right now, providing paddocks and stables for any animal in need. Check out our progress here!

We are thrilled to share that while ADIWS may have started primarily for big cats, we have become a beacon of hope and a second chance for all creatures in need across the region, including antelope, tortoises, cows, sheep, goats, donkeys, horses, and pigs as well as a peacock and goslings.

The heartbreaking story of Bahati, a young calf found cruelly tied in the back of a pick-up truck who could not even move without choking is one of many rescues that highlights how desperately we need to provide more facilities for these poor, abused animals so that they can be assessed and cared for on arrival. While the perpetrators in that case have been charged, ADIWS was the only hope of a happy conclusion for Bahati.

Thanks to your support, and the matching grant from Dr Betsy Coville, we hit our target of $44,310/ £33,650, and in January, I was delighted to mark out the site and watch the straining posts for the fences being planted.

We are now moving forward rapidly with the eight paddocks, each with a shelter/stable, and water supply.

This new facility gives us the potential to save many more injured wildlife and domestic animals, and we will need to provide lifetime care.

Can you help? Please donate today, towards the lifetime care of our survivors of human cruelty. Donate US $, CA $ | Donate UK £, Euros, Rand