Wildlife care centre nurses monkeys
WYNBERG- Animal enthusiast Candice Shaer feels empowered when she works with animals.
She was introduced to the Bambelela wildlife care and guest farm more than a year ago and has dedicated most of her time to the cause.
Bambelela operates as a wildlife rehabilitation and conservation centre in the Waterberg district. It is home to more than 150 vervet monkeys who are cared for by a team of Field Guide Association of South Africa students, field guides and volunteers from around the world.
When Shaer read the Bambelela Facebook page, she noticed they were in need of office equipment which she had and was not using. She contacted the founder of the organisation, Silke von Eynern and arranged to deliver the equipment to Limpopo herself.
Shaer took her sons to visit the monkey rehab and came back feeling grateful for the opportunity to help the facility.
She began to assist where she could and took on the task of redesigning their marketing material, volunteer handbooks and information flyers. Shaer also assists with their admin work and monthly newsletter, as well as administering their Facebook page, fundraising and donations. Shaer said, “For the last 14 months, Bambelela has been our second home. We try to visit at least once a month and help look after the babies.”
According to Shaer, there are currently 18 orphaned baby monkeys at the facility. They are looked after until they are old enough to join the rehabilitation programme. In the wild, babies would cling to their mother and drink milk from them every 10 minutes. Bambelela simulates that method as much as possible. As they get older, they get to spend their days learning to jump, swing and eat solid food. They are slowly taught to be dependent on human beings.
Bambelela welcomes donations of shade cloths, roofing sheeting, old advertising banners, building materials, fencing, baby milk formula, baby blankets and toys.
Volunteers are always needed for the facility, and can help in areas of marketing, feeding animals and fundraising.
Shaer works in Wynberg and her office is used as a drop-off point for donations.
Details: candicem@mweb.co.za
