Daktari Wildlife Orphanage

Daktari wants to educate and inspire children to care for their environment through the medium of a wildlife orphanage.

It is an organisation of people who care, not only for animals and nature, but also for those less fortunate than themselves.

We are a wildlife orphanage which uses orphaned wild animals as an education medium. Volunteers and staff supplement the school curriculum by giving a hands-on education, in existing school subjects, and at the same time provide an environmental experience.

The goals of the organization include learning through working together and improving the quality of life of all participants, including the animals.

About

Daktari was created by Michele and Ian Merrifield, who registered it as a non-profit company in 2002.

The word Daktari is an indigenous form of the word doctor - one who cares for life.

Our mottos are:

Care for life and Make a plan

How does Daktari help?

Daktari is situated on an animal reserve that has 700 hectares of pristine natural habitat and can house several natural wild animals.

Suitable animal holding facilities have been built at the orphanage to house animals that cannot be released. Both orphaned and wild animals are used as an education medium into the importance of the environment.

Children are accommodated at the orphanage and are given the opportunity to see, learn about, and experience the unique South African wildlife, and the importance of sustaining the environment.

Staff and volunteers teach children, having one child per volunteer/staff member, and ensure that all the children staying at our facility learn the basics of several existing school subjects, including English, Mathematics and Natural Science.

Headmasters and teachers select the groups of children, and obtain written permission from the parents.

Goal

• To create compassion and care for animals and the environment. To do this we educate the local underprivileged children about nature and the role they can play in conservation”.

How and Why?

• People will only look after something if they believe it is important, or if they care about it
• Only through education will people understand the vital need to preserve the environment
• Knowledge enables people to understand animals and the environment and how to care for them
• Daktari educates the children and creates within them a compassion for the animals and environment so they will really care about the future of their environment
• Only an educated person is able to make responsible decisions. These children will make the future decisions regarding our environment
• The education given to the children at Daktari will not only give them a better chance in life, but will also give the environment a better chance.
• To be self sufficient

How?

• Daktari can be self sufficient by having paying volunteers from all over the world to
• participate in the education of the children and care of the animals.
• Additional income is obtained from overnight visitors who pay for lodging, sponsorship and donations.

Wildlife Orphanage

Background of African Animals

Africa has a huge diversity of wildlife and ecosystems but much of this has been destroyed by human encroachment.

Hunting and poaching have also played a big role in the diminishing numbers of animals, and added to this is the continual killing for traditional medicines.

Basically the only reason why some animals are alive today is because they are protected in private and national game reserves.

Wildlife in the rural and agricultural areas has been eliminated for many years, and very few have survived or adapted to the cities and farms.

Every species has a role to play in the world's eco-system. Removal of any species threatens the survival of others that depend upon it. Eventual destruction of the animals and habit could result in the destruction of humans themselves.

Orphaned Animals

Most animals are shy and have associated humans with destruction. As a result many animals, although they exist, are rarely seen. Orphaned wild animals have been habituated to humans, and although cannot be released, can be seen and experienced by the children

Whilst humans care for humans who are maimed or injured, very few care for animals in the same condition. At the orphanage, animals can at least have a life, and at the same time play a role in education.

Orphaned animals also play a role in providing necessary research which will enable us to understand their needs for survival in the wild. This information is freely available to assist those who have wildlife sanctuaries.

Orphaned animal instil compassion in people who interact with them. Only by caring will people understand them and look after them.

At Daktari there are many way in which you can help. You can donate funds or adopt an animal. You can also be a volunteer or just a visitor. It is important that you understand the differences and know how these options help the animals and the children.

WHERE: Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa