With a Toyota Quantum packed full of medical supplies, Moses Molala headed to Mbombela for a special delivery – one that would benefit the most vulnerable of our Big Five.
For the past seven years, ER24 and Mediclinic Sandton have been providing Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary with much needed medical supplies for the rhinos and supplies for the staff and guards.
Care for Wild is the largest orphan rhino sanctuary in the world. They rescue, rehabilitate, rewild, release and protect rhinos, but they also do so much more. Wildlife is tended to at an animal hospital on the farm until they can be rehabilitated back into the wild.
Petronel Nieuwoudt, founder of Care for Wild, highlights another factor, “Although the sanctuary primarily cares for rhinos, they also look after various native species such as small antelope, a zebra, and recently an owl.”
“Rhett [Davis] usually phones us to let us know that there are enough products for Moses to be coming through to our facility. When he drives through our gates, we all get very excited! The products we receive can be costly, and therefore they are so valuable to us and crucial to what we do here at the sanctuary,” says Petronel.
Among the products received are wound supplies, medical equipment, gauze, syringe needles, oxygen masks, and protein drinks.
“In November and December [2021], there was an influx of animals who were either hurt or abandoned, and the products were lifesaving. We usually see rhinos with bite wounds or head wounds. It is not uncommon to receive an orphaned rhino with horrendous wounds. The products we receive are used on the rhinos, the ICUs get stocked, and we also distribute it to our staff or the security guards if there’s a need,” says Petronel.
Where it all started
ER24’s relationship with Care For Wild started back in July 2014 when the late Andrew Boden was eager to help following a visit to their farm. Boden was impressed at how Nieuwoudt and her team cared for the sick and hurt wildlife. He decided to support Care for Wild by providing them with medical supplies, much-needed equipment and other necessities.
“Andrew’s legacy still lives on here at our facility and we cherish it terribly as a group. You know, even in his death, he is still active. His legacy of giving and caring enables us to be in a position to give and to care,” says Petronel.
The products that Petronel and the team might not use or have enough of at a certain time are shared with other non-profit organisations in their environment and with their surrounding communities. Petronel believes in a holistic way of thinking by looking after those who care for the rhinos and the other animals at the sanctuary. Andrew’s care towards the sanctuary all those years ago enables the sanctuary to continue to care for those around them.
“You give small, and you receive big. ER24 blesses us regularly to bless even further, and that, for me, lies very close to my heart,” says Petronel.
Unlikeliest of friendships
While Moses, ER24’s Store Administrator, was at the rehabilitation centre for the most recent drop-off, he met Daisy, the rhino and Modjadji, the Zebra. These two have formed an incredible bond since joining the facility in November and December and have graced various newspapers and TV stations, even recently in America.
Modjadji was found abandoned after a terrible storm, and Daisy was left orphaned at only 12 hours old after poachers killed her mother.
“They love each other so much, and Modjadji has been extremely protective over Daisy. They’ve helped each other during their respective journeys, and it has been so special to witness,” says Petronel.
ER24 is no stranger to helping animals in need and believes that as Petronel and the team at Care for Wild also do, saving a species involves collaboration on all levels – we all could do with a little more caring.
We look forward to supporting this great cause for even more years to come.
*Mr Andrew Boden, Related Business Executive for Mediclinic Southern Africa, passed away on 17 March 2021. Andrew was also the founder of the Mediclinic subsidiary, ER24.
