South Africa’s CROW Wildlife Sanctuary, Facing Multiple Crises, Initiates Campaign to Survive

Established 43 years ago, Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) is South Africa’s oldest wildlife rehabilitation centre - a safe haven where 3,000 to 4,000 injured, orphaned and displaced animals and birds are rehabilitated and released annually. However, after grappling with setbacks from COVID-19, devastating floods in Kwazulu-Natal in 2022, and a nationwide cost of living crisis, the centre is now on the verge of closure.

CROW's Director, Clint Halkett-Siddall, highlighted in an interview with BizNews the urgency of CROW's situation. With just 10 months of operational costs left, the centre is racing against time to avoid shutdown. Yet the wildlife sanctuary isn’t giving up without a fight. CROW has launched a BackaBuddy campaign to raise much-needed funds to carry on with their work, which extends beyond animal rehabilitation to the education of future generations about wildlife conservation. CROW’s educational program has successfully reached 160,000 pupils, highlighting the imprint of urbanisation on South Africa's wildlife.

On the brighter side, Halkett-Siddall noted a resurgence of international volunteers for the centre with the easing of COVID regulations signalling a hopeful future. The International Volunteer Program, which generates about half of CROW’s overhead cost, was fully booked for the summer months and has recorded bookings extending until June next year. Despite this positive development, the increase in inflation and cost of living, including fuel and food expenses, have placed immense strain on the centre's resources.

The urgent appeal made through the BackaBuddy campaign and CROW’s own website has been met with considerable support from the public and several organisations. Though traction is being gained in the battle for survival, Halkett-Siddall emphasised that there’s still a long way to go. Additional support will be integral in allowing CROW to continue its vital contribution to rescuing and conserving South Africa's diverse wildlife for generations to come.