Early on 14 June, UP’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital (OVAH) wildlife clinic was alerted to a kudu bull wandering on Airport Road in Doornpoort, Pretoria. Wildlife veterinarians, led by Dr Jacques O’Dell, found the bull calm but injured. With traffic halted by the Tshwane Metro Police Department, Dr O’Dell safely darted the animal. The kudu was transported to the clinic for treatment and observation. After recovering from his injuries, he was safely released in the Groenkloof Nature Reserve. The release was led by UP’s Dr Jennie Hewlett.
Furthermore, on 25 June, a team from the wildlife clinic successfully rescued a stray baboon from a ventilation duct on a construction site at the Soshanguve Magistrate’s Court. With help from the construction team and security staff, the baboon was safely darted and transported to the clinic, where it regained consciousness. The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital later released it into a nature reserve in Mpumalanga.
For more information regarding these animals or any future rescues, visit the Instagram page @opvets2up, read the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences’ newsletters on UP’s website, and check UP’s LinkedIn page.
