ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 THE BEST CAGE IS AN EMPTY CAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS

A Brief Overview ...... 1

The CROW Team ...... 3

Chairman’s Report ...... 4 Director’s Report ...... 6 CROW Clinic Report ...... 8 Rescue ...... 8 Rehabilitate ...... 10

Release ...... 12 A New Generation of Wildlife Warriors ...... 14 Fundraising and Marketing Report...... 16 CROW in the Spotlight ...... 18 CROW’s Major Donors and Partners ...... 20 Help us make a Difference ...... 22

CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 Chacma Baboon (Papio ursinus) A BRIEF OVERVIEW

Run by a small, yet highly dedicated team of staff and volunteers, CROW is currently the only wildlife rehabilitation centre in that is registered to work with all injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife including all TOPS (Threatened or Protected) species in the KwaZulu- province.

Founded over 34 years From mongoose, genets and baboons to raptors and reptiles, ago, CROW rescues, CROW represents a second chance at a free, safe and sustainable rehabilitates and releases life for thousands of wild animals every year. As a registered Non-Profit and Public Benefit organisation that currently receives no over 3000 wild animals governmental subsidies, CROW relies solely on donations from the in distress every year. public to provide its life-saving services.

“When we return wild animals to nature, we merely return to them

what is already theirs. For man cannot give wild animals freedom,

they can only take it away.”

Jacques Cousteau

CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 1 VISION

CROW’s vision is to be an independent, pioneering force in the rehabilitation and conservation of injured and orphaned wildlife, while promoting the preservation of their natural habitat.

MISSION

CROW is committed to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured and orphaned wildlife and believes in action and education with regards to the protection of all natural resources.

VALUES

As a registered and reputable wildlife rehabilitation centre, CROW strives to uphold the following values in all areas of its work:

• Honesty • Integrity • Professionalism • Compassion • Commitment

2 CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 THE CROW TEAM

Board of Trustees: Executive Committee:

Mr Guy Hamlin (Chairman) Mrs Claire Maclachlan (Chairlady) Councillor Billie Prinsloo Mrs Caren Martin (Vice-Chair) Advocate Andrea Gabriel Councillor Billie Prinsloo Miss Mbali Ntuli (elected November 2013) Mr Derek Airey (elected November 2013) Dr Helena Fitchat Mr Marius Van Rooyen (resigned November 2013) Mrs Yvette Taylor Ms Thina Siwendu (elected November 2013)

Staff:

Claire Hodgkinson (Director) Cyril Zuma (Workshop Manager) Mabel Watts (Operations & Primate Manager) Sanele Madladla (Grounds staff) Paul Hoyte (Marketing & Comms Officer) David Mdidiswa (Grounds staff) Estie Allan (Clinic Manager) Pleasure Nene (Grounds staff) Sue-Ann Shutte (Clinic Nurse) Nono Duba (Grounds staff) Kelly Wilyman (Clinic Nurse) Gloria Mthethwa (Grounds staff) Chelsea Kruck (Junior Clinic Assistant) Janet Ngwenya (Grounds staff) Monique Deme (Clinic Receptionist) Asanda Bokwe (Grounds staff) Michael Madladla (Driver) CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Following the many changes and new faces that 2012 brought to CROW’s management and staff compliment, I am pleased to report that the past 12 months has proved far less disruptive and have therefore allowed our team to knuckle down and steer our organisation onto a more positive and exciting path Most importantly and as it should be, it is our wildlife that has ultimately benefited from the CROW teams’ hard work and commitment.

Tangible highlights have included the building having on our local environment and wildlife, of several new rehabilitation enclosures at the to teaching children the correct steps to follow CROW centre, the much needed refurbishment if they come across a wild animal in distress, of CROW’s Clinic thanks to the proceeds CROW’s Wildlife Warriors programme is raised from Under an African Sky’s 2014 undeniably contributing towards the African Sentiments calendar campaign and of development of a much more environmentally- course, the much anticipated release of conscious and proactive generation of South CROW’s latest troops of rehabilitated chacma Africans. As a firm believer in the value of baboons and vervet monkeys that took place education, I cannot stress how important this in November and December 2013 area of CROW’s work is to the long-term respectively. conservation and preservation of our country’s natural heritage. I am also particularly pleased that CROW’s rebranded environmental education In addition to CROW’s staff and our many programme, Wildlife Warriors has come on in dedicated volunteers, I would like to humbly leaps and bounds over the past year to the thank all the other members of CROW’s extent that the number of local children now extended family, including our many partners, participating in the programme, has increased donors and friends across the country and exponentially. From demonstrating the abroad who continue to support us and make devastating impact that litter and pollution is CROW’s timely work possible.

4 CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 Last, but by no means least, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to my fellow Trustees and to Claire Maclachlan and her Executive Committee whose selfless dedication and commitment has truly been a pillar of strength for CROW over the past year.

As ever, I would like to urge everyone that reads this report to get involved and do what they can to help us conserve and protect our indigenous wildlife. Be it through supporting one of our numerous fundraising campaigns and events or the giving of your time or skills, each and every one of us can contribute and make a positive difference. Now more than ever, our wildlife is counting on us.

Guy Hamlin Chairman of CROW’s Board of Trustees.

CROW 2013-2014 Annual Report 5 DIRECTOR’S REPORT

The past year has seen CROW’s newly formed team work together to improve and expand its core services as well as re-establish its hard-earned and much deserved reputation as one of South Africa’s leading wildlife rehabilitation centres.

The development of a brand new website, Facebook page and marketing materials as well as a revival in terms of its public relations and media coverage has not only had a positive impact on our organisation’s numerous fundraising initiatives, but has also served to give our entire team a renewed sense of pride and purpose in its work.

Thanks to the support and guidance of CROW’s partnerships with likeminded organisations and Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, as service providers such as the Natal Falconry well as the extraordinary hard work and Club, Rubio Communications and King Kroell determination of CROW’s new Marketing and that through the voluntary donation of their skills Communications Officer, Paul Hoyte the and expertise have made a substantial organisation has made significant progress over contribution to moving the organisation forward. the past year in growing its donor base while at the same time tightening its belt in the face of an Finally, I would like to thank CROW’s tenacious increasingly difficult fundraising climate. Clinic team who under the leadership of the organsiation’s long-serving Clinic Manager, On the ground, there have also been many Estie Allan has once again gone above and achievements for the organisation such as the beyond to ensure that each and every animal upgrading of its facilities, the updating of its that comes through CROW’s doors is afforded operating polices and processes as well as the the very best care and treatment. On behalf of streamlining of its overall approach to all our patients that cannot speak for themselves, overcoming the daily challenges of running an and the second chance at a free life that they so extremely demanding and resource-intensive deserve. On behalf of all our patients that operation, often on a shoestring. cannot speak for themselves, I would like to humbly thank Estie and her Clinic team for A key achievement in this regard has been the continually inspiring us all to make a difference. proactive development of several new Claire Hodgkinson Director

6 CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 Claire Hodgkinson

Director Banded Mongoose (Mungos mungo) CROW CLINIC REPORT

Another very worrying statistic was the growing number of cases whereby all manner of wild RESCUE animals were rescued out of the hands of those The CROW Clinic had yet another busy year trying to make a quick profit by selling them with 3027 sick, injured, orphaned and either on the side of our province’s roads or displaced animals being rescued and admitted online. From duikers and mongoose to vervet to the CROW centre between April 2013 and monkeys and tortoises, KwaZulu-Natal’s March 2014. (113 more than the previous indigenous wildlife is increasingly being year.) Of these admissions, 1969 animals viewed as nothing more than a commodity. (65%) were treatable and 1058 (35%) animals Whether it’s for bush meat, muthi or as an were considered untreatable as they either ill-suited pet, there appears to be a complete died on or within 24 hours of admission or had lack of awareness and education regarding the to be humanely euthanized due to the severity law and our wildlifes’ fundamental right to a of their injuries. free, safe and sustainable life in their natural habitat. Of all the furry and feathered patients that were rescued and treated by CROW over the past Thankfully, with the help of the general public, year, by far the most common cause of injury CROW’s extensive network of volunteer depots was yet again due to domestic cat and dog and close collaboration with the organisation’s attacks, followed closely by the seemingly many partners across the province, we have endless number of wildlife casualties on our been able to intervene and save the lives of province’s roads. many of these animals over the past year.

Breakdown of CROW Clinic Admissions in 2013-2014:

ANIMAL SPECIES 2013 2012 2011 2010 Birds 2768 2706 3022 2784 Mammals 128 96 165 144 Primates 87 96 60 94 Reptiles 44 16 27 34 TOTAL 3027 2914 3274 3056

8 CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 SMALL CHANGES CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

Over the past 12 months, the CROW team has noted Groundskeeper noticed it was limping badly and an alarming increase in the number of birds that have alerted CROW to its plight. Following its successful been hurt or injured as a result of the reckless rescue, the stork was rushed to the CROW Clinic discardment of fishing tackle by local fishermen- an where an examination quickly revealed not one, not on-going issue that is so easily avoidable through two, but three fishing hooks lodged in his right foot education and the smallest of changes in attitude and and throat. Fortunately for this stork, CROW’s Clinic behaviour. Nurses were able to remove all three hooks and treat the infection in his right foot before he succumbed to Just one of the many victims of this senseless practice a slow and painful death from infection and or that CROW has rescued over the past year was this starvation. Following several days of treatment and magnificent Woolly-necked Stork that was rescued close monitoring the stork was successfully released from the Country Club after the back into the wild.

CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 9 Over the past year, CROW is therefore very REHABILITATE pleased to have forged close working Rehabilitating wild animals is an exceptionally partnerships with several individuals and difficult, time and resource-intensive process organizations whose skills and expertise are requiring expertise, skill and infinite amounts of helping us to continually improve our policies patience and dedication. For many animals, and processes and ultimately ensure that each rehabilitation is not just a simple case of and every one of our patients can be treating a physical wound or injury, but often successfully rehabilitated and released. These includes being introduced to other patients of new partnerships include the Durban Natural the same species so that they may, in time, Science Museum as well as several registered bond and form a new social unit before their members of the Natal Falconry Club that over eventual release back into the wild. the past year have committed a considerable amount of their time and expertise to helping us With up to 400 animals being cared for at the ensure all young, orphaned raptors acquire the CROW centre at any given time, ensuring that essential hunting skills they need to survive each animal’s unique needs are met on a daily back out in the wild before their release. basis is often a complex and demanding task.

It has been an honour and a privilege for the Natal Falconry Club to assist CROW with its raptor rehabilitation programme over the past year. The opportunity to use our passion and expertise for falconry to assist injured and orphaned birds of prey has been an experience that our falconers have relished.

Ross Kramm, Chairman, Natal Falconry Club

10 CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 FLYING HIGH Giving injured and orphaned Raptors a Second Chance

Thanks to the on-going support and commitment of One of the over 50 sick, injured and orphaned ACSA, CROW was able to upgrade its essential raptors that benefited from the joint efforts of CROW, equipment and facilities needed to continue its ACSA and the Natal Falconry Club over the past year professional wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and was this beautiful young Black Sparrow Hawk that release services. In addition to enabling the CROW was admitted to our centre in September 2013 after Clinic team to purchase a new dart gun and attend a she was found orphaned in the Upper Highway area. professional training session on the safe darting and Following several weeks of rehabilitation, she was sedation of wildlife in distress, ACSA’s generous ringed and released in the picturesque support over the past year also enabled CROW to valley by CROW and NFC falconers, Ross Kramm repair its Flight Aviary which is an essential and Stuart Pringle. component of any professional raptor rehabilitation programme.

CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 11 Suffice to say, for both CROW’s staff and volunteers “release days” are always the most RELEASE memorable and rewarding experience. Over As anyone who has spent time at the CROW the past year, the CROW team has successfully FLYING centre will tell you, the phrase “the best cage is released 1058 animals back into the wild. On an empty cage” is anything but lip service. The behalf of each and every one of these animals, organisation’s long-standing conviction in all CROW would like to humbly thank its wild animals’ right to freedom is proudly volunteers, partners and release sites for upheld by the CROW team and continues to helping us to give these animals the second underpin all aspects of the organisation’s work. chance they so deserve.

NO TURNING BACK Following five years of hard work and countless hours searching for a suitable release site, the CROW team was finally able to release its troop of 14 rehabilitated baboons back into the wild on the 7th November 2013.

A mountain top overlooking the 10 000 hectare Several months on and the troop has settled into their private game farm in Richmond which was to become new home with surprisingly little fuss or fanfare thanks CROW’s baboon troop’s new home, served as the to a comprehensive six month post-release monitoring venue for this long awaited and much anticipated and support programme that was jointly implemented event. When the big moment finally arrived, the by CROW and the release sites owners. CROW team collectively held its breath as the baboons cautiously ventured out of their transport boxes and started to explore their new surroundings.

12 CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 “Giving a wild animal back its freedom is

what ultimately drives any professional

wildlife rehabilitator. In the face of such

intense persecution and vilification,

successfully rehabilitating and

re-introducing injured and orphaned

baboons back into safe and accepting

areas in South Africa, particularly KZN, is

an increasingly difficult task. The fact that

CROW has therefore managed to do this,

in the face of so much trial and controversy

is a victory not only for these 14 individual

baboons but for our country’s wildlife

rehabilitation fraternity as a whole.”

Bob Venter Owner of Riverside Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre & Chairman of SAWRA (South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Association.) A NEW GENERATION OF WILDLIFE WARRIORS

Following the official opening of CROW’s knowledge and skills they need to start making newly refurbished Environmental Educentre in a positive contribution in their own, everyday 2012, the structure and content of CROW’s lives. existing environmental education programme was given a complete overhaul over the past CROW is very pleased to report that its newly year. With a strong emphasis on giving children rebranded Wildlife Warriors programme has and young people a practical and interactive been met with much enthusiasm and learning experience CROW’s new “Wildlife encouragement from local learners and Warriors” Environmental Education programme educators alike. Over the past year, 3000 local now strives to educate local children and young children and young have participated in people about the importance of environmental CROW’s new Wildlife Warriors programme, conservation and wildlife protection, while at three times the number reached in the previous the same time equipping them with the year. Thanks to the support of CROW’s new

14 CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 education partner, SAPREF, CROW is also very used to develop a 10-page Wildlife Warriors A NEW GENERATION OF WILDLIFE WARRIORS proud to reveal that over 2280 of these children Educational Activity Booklet that will serve to and young people were from local reinforce the programme’s key conservation disadvantaged communities in the Durban South messages and enable its young participants to areas of Merebank, Wentworth, Austerville, easily share these messages with their friends Isipingo and Umlazi. and families at home.

Looking ahead, CROW’s Wildlife Warriors Suffice to say, CROW’s Wildlife Warriors programme is set to reach even more children in programme is now making a tangible and much 2014 with the recruitment of the organsiation’s needed contribution towards the development of very first, fulltime Environmental Education an informed and eco-friendly generation of Officer whose position will be funded by the Wildlife Warriors that have both the passion proceeds raised from the 2014 African and ability to safeguard our province’s and Sentiments Calendar campaign. Furthermore, indeed our country’s unique natural heritage. the proceeds of this campaign are also being FUNDRAISING AND MARKETING REPORT

Bismarck Du Plessis, Springbok rugby player and CROW Patron.

Over the past year, CROW has implemented a Over the past year, CROW therefore held proactive fundraising and marketing strategy in several large fundraising events in order to an effort to maximize its income while at the secure much needed funds for its on-going services. In addition to an overwhelming same time decreasing some of the response to CROW’s first family Easter Open organisation’s dependence on donor funds. As Day event held in March 2013, the CROW with many relatively small, niche causes, the team also enjoyed a highly successful reality is access to large pots of funding from fundraising event at the Barnyard Theatre on the traditional donor sources are fewer and farther 25th July which saw over 400 people join us for between than ever before. Hence, finding new a fun and memorable evening of lively ways to generate its own income is something entertainment. that CROW, like many other non-profit

organsiations in South Africa, is having to CROW’s annual Charity Golf Day held at the

th increasingly focus on. Durban Country Club on the 9 October 2013

16 CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 proved yet again to be CROW’s biggest 14th May 2014.Championed by CROW fundraiser of the year, thanks largely to title Patron & Springbok rugby player, Bismarck Du sponsor, IBV, our numerous players, hole and Plessis as well as new CROW Ambassadors, prize sponsors, who together, helped us raise Zaba Simbine (East Coast Radio DJ & SABC 2’s an impressive R80 000 on the day. Hectic-9 Presenter) and Emma Seager (Miss Earth 2013 Finalist), the 2014 African Months of hard work also culminated in the Sentiments calendar campaign succeeded in launch of CROW’s long-awaited, new website raising a staggering R214 000 towards the in October 2013 which also enabled CROW revamp of CROW’s clinic as well as its to launch its now extremely popular Sponsor an Wildlife Warriors Environmental Education Animal and Sponsor an Enclosure campaigns programme in 2014. allowing members of public and local companies to contribute towards the care and Suffice to say, it is only through the generous treatment of CROW’s most needy patients. support and commitment of CROW’s many donors, sponsors and supporters that the The CROW team were also incredibly humbled organisation is able to continue giving sick, to be selected for the third year in a row as the injured and orphaned wildlife a second chance sole beneficiary of Under an African Sky’s at a free, safe and sustainable life. On behalf 2014 African Sentiment Calendar campaign of the many thousands of animals whose lives that was officially launched at a joint Media you have touched and saved in 2013, we Day event held at CROW’s Educentre on the thank you!

Zaba Simbine, East Coast Radio DJ & SABC 2’s Hectic-9 Presenter.

CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 17 CROW IN THE SPOTLIGHT

While it is not often that the CROW centre plays The documentary served to raise some much host to international celebrities, one of the many needed international awareness about the highlights that the CROW team experienced in devastating impact that poaching, illegal 2013, was the opportunity to meet and spend hunting and habitat loss is currently having on time with legendary UK TV Presenter, Radio DJ South Africa’s wildlife. Furthermore, the series and Comedian, Paul O’Grady MBE. Paul spent also encouraged people in the UK to visit and several days at CROW in October 2013 in offer their services to wildlife rehab centres such order to feature the organisation’s work as part as CROW that are heavily reliant on both local of his hit wildlife documentary series, Paul and international volunteers. O’Grady’s Animal Orphans. On behalf of all our animals, CROW would like A self-confessed animal lover, Paul was an to thank Paul for all that he did and continues to instant hit with the CROW staff and animals do to improve the lives of animals in distress alike including young Lilly, the Blue Duiker and both at home in the UK and abroad. Indeed, we Wendy, the rambunctious Warthog who went could not have been more honoured when Paul on to star in his new 3-part hit series that aired kindly accepted our invitation to be one of our in the UK in early January 2014. Patrons following his visit to South Africa.

18 CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 “I was really overwhelmed by the dedication and passion that the CROW staff and volunteers have for their work. I think it’s incredible and a true testament to their commitment and perseverance, that such a small organisation is playing such an important role in caring for South Africa’s wildlife. If you’ve never been to South Africa and are thinking of volunteering with animals, CROW is definitely the place to go!”

Paul O’Grady MBE CROW Patron & UK TV Presenter, Radio DJ & Comedian

Black Sparrowhawk (Accipiter melanoleucus) CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 19 CROW’S MAJOR DONORS AND PARTNERS

CROW would like to acknowledge and thank the following major donors and partners that have helped us give thousands of injured and orphaned wildlife a second chance over the past year.

ACSA Elite Fibre African Impact Emma Seager Alegrow Trust Eshowe Hills Eco Estate Albany Bakeries Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Albert Falls Reserve Felix Schneier Foundation Bambelela Wildlife Care & Guest Farm Free Me JHB BirdLife Port Natal Free Me Howick Bismarck Du Plessis G4S Berea Round Table Gooderson Leisure Group Bobann Planthire Harry Brunskill Educational & Charitable Trust Boxlee Hilton College Brendan Bromfield Ian & Judy Du Rant Bruce Wilson Industro Clean Capacity iTruck CARE Janet Hancock Compass Waste Services Joan Charmers

Compton Packaging Kathleen Hastie Charitable Trust Corokraft King Kroell Design Deloitte & Touche Florist Derivco Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve Dr Angelo Lambiris Koogan Plastics Duma Manzi Eco Lodge & Spa Lantrust Charitable Trust DSW Lightstone Bird Seed East Coast Medical Marlene Burger

20 CROW Annual Report 2013-2014

Mary Dugmore RoGa Plastics Maxine Gaines Rubio Communications Mbona Game Reserve SANCCOB McCarthy Toyota SAPREF Misty Corton Shane Doyle MJ Bedding Shepstone & Wylie Monkey Helpline Spar KZN Naauwpoort Game Farm Strelitzia Tours Natal Falconry Club Suburban Roofing Natal Nomads Golf Club Tala Private Game Reserve Nedbank Talisman Hire – Durban South New Germany Nature Reserve The Answer Co. North Coast Plastics The Bat Society Northdene Veterinary Clinic The Edna Burford Trust NPC – Cimpor Thula Thula Private Game Reserve NSPCA Timothy Hancock Charitable Trust Northside Electrical & Lighting Wholesalers Tongaat Huwlett Sugar Odette Fonseca Travellers Worldwide Pailpac Ubizane Wildlife Reserve Pakamisa Private Game Reserve Umgeni Bird Park Paul O’Grady MBE Umkhumbi Lodge Phinda Private Game Reserve Under an African Sky Printers Unilever QACCS Golf Club Vivid Audio Rainbow Chickens Village News Agency Raptor Rescue Wild at Tuli Safaris Riverside Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Centre Worldwide Veterinary Services RB & Son Zaba Simbine

CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 21 HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE

CROW is very grateful to its many donors, sponsors, members and partners for their invaluable support without whom CROW could not provide its life-saving services.

Now more than ever, CROW relies on the support and generosity of the public both locally and abroad, to ensure it can continue to conserve and protect South Africa’s indigenous wildlife. If you are not currently a CROW supporter, we would be delighted to welcome you on board.

There are many ways that you can support CROW’s work in wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education including:

MAKE A DONATION

No matter the size, all donations are always gratefully accepted here at CROW.

Direct deposits & electronic transfers can be made to:

OUR Account Name: CROW WILDLIFE Account Number: 507 702 308 59 Bank: First National Bank NEEDS Branch: Durban, Main Branch YOU! Branch Code: 221 426 Swiftcode: FIRNZAJJ

Please fax or email us your proof of payment & contact details to +27 (0)31 462 9700 or [email protected] so we can thank you for your support!

22 CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 As a registered Public Benefit Organisation in South Africa, all bona-fide donations to CROW are tax- deductable.

Cheques and postal orders can be made out to “CROW” and sent to: PO BOX 53007, Yellowwood Park, Durban, 4011, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

JOIN CROW’S 1000 100 CLUB

CROW is seeking 1000 individuals, families, groups and or companies who are passionate about conserving and protecting South Africa’s wildlife and are therefore willing to commit to a monthly donation of R100 or more per month.

As an exclusive member of CROW’s 1000 100 Club , you can look forward to some great rewards and benefits, but more importantly, you will be helping us to provide life-saving care and treatment of each and every one of CROW’s furry and feathered wildlife patients every year.

To join CROW’s 1000 100 Club and for more information on our other fundraising campaigns and events, please visit our website: www.crowkzn.co.za or contact us at [email protected]

CROW Annual Report 2013-2014 23 Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife 15A Coedmore Ave, Yellowwood Park, Durban, 4004, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa PO BOX 53007, Yellowwood Park, Durban, 4011, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa T: +27 (0)31 462 1127 F: +27(0)31 462 9700 E: [email protected] www.crowkzn.co.za NPO No: 046-598-NPO PBO No: 18/11/13/4901

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