caracal, bush baby, ostrich and porcupine

ADOPT ONE OF OUR ANIMALS

If you are interested in becoming a parent to one of our beloved animals please click here and pay online on Global Giving, a secure platform.

The minimum monthly contribution is R100 (€6).

WHAT DOES IT COVER?

  • A good quality and balanced diet – This covers the cost of food for the animal that you sponsor. This includes any special supplements the animal may need as well as some extra treats!
  • Daily maintenance of the enclosures – This includes all of the materials to carry out the cleaning as well as the disinfectant used to keep everything in pristine condition.
  • Improvements and updates of enclosures – In addition to the maintenance of the enclosures, your donation will go towards any necessary upkeep that may be required. Moreover, if you would like, you could also sponsor the building of a new enclosure.
  • Enrichment activities – To stimulate the animals through punctual activities or building a new toy or tool to put in the animal’s enclosure.

AS A SPONSOR YOU WILL RECEIVE:

  • A quarterly update of your animal’s progress in the form of an e-card
  • You can pop in and visit anytime should you find yourself in the area
  • You will be personally participating in the conservation of South Africa’s wildlife

ANIMALS YOU CAN ADOPT:

Mr & Mrs Strauss - Ostriches

The four members of the Strauss family were rescued by DAKTARI from an ostrich farm. They were going to be euthanized due to their small size. One of the pairs was released onto a private reserve leaving more room for Mr & Mrs Strauss at DAKTARI.

Shangaan - Caracal

Shangaan was brought to DAKTARI in 2011. He had been hand-reared by a member of the public after being found without a mother.

Chouchou - Cape Genet

Chouchou was initially brought to us by someone in the nearby area after she had fallen out of her nest.

Once she arrived at DAKTARI, our dog Candy acted as her surrogate mother and produced milk to feed her.trauss at DAKTARI.

Banchee - Thick-Tailed Bush Baby

Banchee arrived at DAKTARI from Moholoholo in August 2013.

Little is known about his history other than that he was hand raised by farmers.

Scruffball - Serval

In 2009, Scruffball was given to Moholoholo Rehabilitation Center.

He was approximately 4-6 weeks old. Unfortunately, because he was used to humans, he could not be rehabilitated in the wild.

He joined the DAKTARI family in July 2022.

Crunchie - Cheetah

Crunchie was entrusted to DAKTARI by the HESC -Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre.

He is 13 years old and was involved in a reproduction program aimed at species preservation. Through this initiative, several cheetahs have been reintroduced into the wild to diversify genetic lines within game reserves and prevent inbreeding, as cheetah populations in Africa are closely genetically related.

He arrived at DAKTARI in April 2024!

Banded Mongooses

We currently have three mongoose living at DAKTARI, all males, named Goose, Moose and Peppi. The first two have been found as babies without their mother hand-reared here, and the other one was kept as a pet and then brought to us.

Karool & his 4 friends - Meerkats

Karool arrived in 2023, after the rest of our meerkats were rehabilitated in 2018. Karool now has 4 friends that arrived in July 2024!

Eeyore - Donkey

Eeyore has been with DAKTARI since 2008.

He is very old and was found wandering the streets of Phalaborwa by the SPCA.

Eeyore is partially blind with only 10% vision in one eye but that doesn’t stop him trying to steal food off the dinner table!

Dassie

We have a dassie roaming free at camp, Caline.

We have tried to set her free but she just loved being around us so much that she choses to stay here rather than be in the bush!

Scotty - African Hawk Eagle

Scotty was found in Phalaborwa by the owners of a private game reserve after it was thought she flew into a power line. DAKTARI took in Scotty but after a few days it became apparent that her wound was most likely due to a gun shot.

Rabbits & Guinea Pigs

DAKTARI started buying rabbits and guinea pigs two years ago as part of the sensibilisation program for the children. It is great to have them as the children can safely interact with them and learn how to care for them.

Coco - Giant Eagle-Owl

Coco came to us in 2009 and will be peacefully living out his days at DAKTARI.

Winnie - African Wood Owl

In March 2023, Winnie joined DAKTARI due to her broken wing, which made it impossible for her to survive in the wild. Since her friend Buddy passed away, Winnie now lives alone. Her calls are often heard during the night.

Telo the Lion

Telo was found as abandoned cub and taken to a rehabilitation centre. His brother Duma sadly passed away on March 2025, letting him be the only lion here in DAKTARI.

He was hand raised and unfortunately because of his close contact with humans, he lost his fear of humans and could not be reintroduced back into the wild. The only solution was to give this boy a second chance of living happily and peacefully at the rehabilitation centre for the rest of his life.

If you are interested in becoming a parent to one of our beloved animals please email Michele at info@daktaribushschool.org.

The minimum monthly contribution is R100 (€6).