Hello to all Bambelela-Friends….this is my first update for our Blog and I’d like to take this opportunity to inform you about all the happenings this side of the Waterberg.
Let’s start with a recap of events:
After taking care of the Baby-Impala for two months the rescued ram was healthy and strong enough, also old enough to be returned to the game farm and Impala herd he came from.
Two tree squirrels which Michael brought to us are big enough for their life in freedom now. Also the Bushbaby will be freed soon, now that we healed all his ailments and he is able to jump again.
SOS our help was needed at ZEBULA where a Waterbuck baby rab repeatedly into the electric fence. Too weak to resist being helped by people and with no herd and mommy being around she was brought to us. Alex is now her mommy and doing a very good job in hand-raising and nursing her with the milk bottle.
Lienkie is taking care of a rather unusual monkey at Bambelela: A black and white Colobus from a nearby zoo facility in bad need of TLC and some homeopathic remedys after loosing half of her face due to an infection which turned very bad. Happy to report that the little one is a fighter and after spending 10 days at the VET and this past week at Bambelela, new skin and flesh is growing and we have more hope than ever of her survival. She stays our critical patient and we are giving her the best care possible and unlimited TLC.
Thanks to Volunteer Anna Molin we were able to transfer a bigger Baby Baboon from Joburg to CARE in Phalaborwa. Belinda sharing the drive with the Baboon-Girl in the back of the Bakkie. Upon arrival at CARE a Baby Vervet greeted her and orphaned “ZAKUMI” found a new loving mommy in Belinda. The Vervet was dropped off at CARE half an hour prior to our arrival. Without knowing it in the morning…we practically swopped babies…..
More and more Vervet Monkey Orphans keep on coming in and finding loving new mommies in our volunteers and students.
We are still in desperate need of Guardian Angels for our orphaned Vervet Monkeys and need all the help we can get. Baby formulated milk and Pampers are on top of our product donation list.
Warthog “Piggy Roetzelchen” is no longer “single”. His mate arrived in form of female warthog “TANK” . Both are roaming free here, coming and going whenever and wherever they want.
Another release is in the planning and hopefully it will be Rafiki’s Troop of 35 monkeys….the farmer offered his farm and is willing to supply daily feeding to our monkeys for living on his bushveld farm. We still have to find the time for proper inspection of the environment before the next stage of our new release plan can start.
Our released Isabella’s troop nearby Marken joined the wild troop of 11 monkeys for sure. They are doing all good and Silke can not wait to visit them again for the next follow up report.
The badly injured [cause unknown to us] Baby-Boy Kayle died of Septicemia, after his wounds started to heal and being for 3 weeks in our care…we could not help him anymore…his injuries were to big for his small body. He was the only casualty and [our big loss] at the release. Statistic says one looses up to 20% of members when a troop gets released….we hope to beat the statistics ! Baby Boy Kyle is missed dearly by us.
Also a hard loss to let live go once more on…….Morgan, a young male Vervet Monkey got bitten by other monkeys and the deadly bacteria ‘tetani’ went into his muscles. 1 week we took 24/7 care of him, just when even the VET thought that we are winning this case of Tetanus…Morgan died. If we only had a bit more of a chance here……..
The heavy rains over the Easter Weekend left us with cancelled tours and worrying guests who needed to get out of the valley with the gravel road becoming messier and worst by the hour. All wet and we tried our best to keep all animals and monkeys safe and healthy. Unfortunately we lost the smallest of our Ostrich Babies due to pneumonia. Even the red light couldn’t save his live. Our Groot Nylsoog River from 2m width suddenly over 20m wide and flowing……lots of water all around us.
Update about our happenings also available on facebook “Africa – Bambelela wildlife Care”

With sunny [yeah, the sun is shining again now! –smile] Bushveld Greetings from Bambelela,
Silke & the Bambelela team

Welcome to our new updated blog.  Some information about us:

Bambelela is a privately owned and operated wildlife rehabilitation and conservation farm in the Waterberg district. It is well known and especially well regarded for its exceptional work with Vervet monkeys. Bambelela offers a volunteer programme and Field Guide Assosiation of Southern Africa [FGASA] based courses for theory and practical studies.

Bambelela also has three 4-star [accredited by TGCSA] exquisite self-catering chalets available for rental, which provide guests with the opportunity for a wonderful luxury experience in the heart of the rugged bushveld. The special privilege is to share the environment with the free living Vervet Monkeys which have been rehabilitated here. You will also have the opportunity to watch other wild animals such as various antelopes, zebras, warthogs, porcupines and many different bird species which are attracted to the Groot Nylsoog River and its marsh passing through Bambelela.

Our guests can join us at Nappy Hour and play with some of the orphans in our kindergarten.
Day Visitors are welcome to book our 2h guided wildlife tour to gain knowledge about the fauna & flora of this region, our work and meet the animals in our care with great and close up photo opportunities.

With your visit you will directly support our wildlife care.

We look forward to welcoming you, soon!

If you can not visit us physically, you can always visit our blog and website, just click here  www.bambelela.org.za.

We will regularly update you about our organisation here on our blog. Please visit us soon.