The Western Cape’s first permitted wildlife rescue centre

In December 2024, after two years of planning and work, the Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue & Training Centre became the first permitted centre in the Western Cape. This centre is now providing critical care to vulnerable wildlife, with the aim of releasing the injured animals once they have recovered.

But now that we have the permit, the work really starts. It’s costly to run a wildlife centre, and we depend on the generosity of those who bring in injured animals, the Kogelberg community and philanthropists and other donors. Your help is vital to help this centre serve our wildlife.

Here’s how our Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue & Training Centre came about.

IT ALL STARTED WITH A DEVASTATING WILDFIRE.

In 2022, wildfires in Kleinmond highlighted the need for a rehabilitation centre for animals. During the fires, a team of volunteers worked tirelessly to save tortoises, chameleons and other vulnerable animals caught in the flames.

After the fires, Kogelberg Biosphere Coordinator, Corlie Hugo, reached out to Michelle Watson, a certified wildlife rehabilitator and one of the first South Africans accredited by the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council. Together they recognised the urgent need for a dedicated centre in the Western Cape.

The next step was to find a suitable location for the centre. The breakthrough came when Liezl de Villiers, Divisional Manager of the Overstrand Municipality, offered them the opportunity to lease an old building just outside Betty’s Bay. With the help of volunteers and through wonderful donations, the facility was renovated – with a fully operational emergency clinic, patient recovery room and a dedicated kitchen for preparing meals for the animals put in place. Flight enclosures were also constructed to aid in rehabilitation.

Then the process started to obtain the necessary permits – and CapeNature worked closely with the Kogelberg Biosphere team to secure the permits for the centre, the first of its kind in the province.

The principles our rescue centre lives by

For our centre, no animal is considered too small or insignificant to deserve care. From mice and goslings, to snakes and porcupines, all animals have a place here to recover. But a key focus for our centre is providing a place of care for injured blue cranes. Our national birds are frequently affected by human activities – from fences to bailing twine and powerlines. That’s why we can now serve as a sanctuary for orphaned or injured cranes, before releasing them back into the wild.

Now we need help to make this centre a lasting success.

The financial demands of running a centre like ours are extensive. There are not only the costs of maintaining the facility and where possible, paying a team to manage the centre. But we also need to cover the costs of the food for the animals, transport to the centre and to cover veterinary expenses.

That’s why we need YOUR help.

Become a volunteer at the centre. Or support by donating much-needed food and other essential goods. Contact Michelle Watson on 073 314 0674.

Or you can give via PayFast. We’ve got more here. 

Banking Details:
Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve
Nedbank
Acc nr: 1057120154
Current Account
Reference: Wildlife

Donate equipment, your time or give in-kind support

• Herbariums/fishtanks
• Animal-carrying stretcher
• Hacksaws/loppers
• Buckets
• Black bags
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Hand sanitiser
• Cable ties, duct tape
• Cotton gauze and bandages
• Salaries for staff and willing volunteers

 LATEST NEWS

You can take the next step, to become even more involved in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve.

And remember to include us in your social media posts, by using the hashtag: #BiosphereLiving.