Rescued grysbokkie and fawn back in the wild

Hats off to all those involved in the dramatic rescue of a Cape grysbokkie that was found injured near the old ‘circus grounds’ on Main Road by Whale Coast Conservation’s chameleon rescue volunteers in mid-September. The obvious first call was to the chameleon project leader, WCC’s Sheraine van Wyk, who in turn alerted the Fernkloof Senior Field Ranger, Dean Gardiner.

After capturing and sedating the grysbokkie, she was transported to the Bergview Veterinary Clinic where Dr Maarten van Dalsen took X-rays to inspect her injuries more closely. The grysbokkie was found to not only have a fracture in one half of her cloven hoof, but also to be pregnant. Her hoof was put into a splint and she was kept overnight at the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Sheraine then contacted Danie and Sonja van Zyl, who offered the grysbokkie a safe haven on their farm in Hemelen-Aarde. With experience in wildlife rehabilitation, the Van Zyls’ farm was the perfect place for the grysbokkie to recover in peace, and eventually give birth safely on 8 October.

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