45 Years of Saving Wildlife

45 years of saving wildlife

2025 marks CROW’s 45th anniversary, a milestone CROW will celebrate with special features, educational content, and exciting events throughout the year. This is the year to reflect on the incredible impact of wildlife rehabilitation—the countless animals saved over the past 45 years—and to look ahead and commit to the next 45 years of conservation in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa.

Wildlife rehabilitation is not a luxury, it is a critical necessity for safeguarding biodiversity, maintaining healthy ecosystems in urban settings, and securing our shared future. Today, wildlife faces greater threats than ever before. Habitat destruction, climate change, and human-wildlife conflict results in animals suffering and are driving many species to the brink of extinction. Without adequate funding, conservation efforts cannot continue.

Be part of the impact and help us continue CROW’s mission for the next 45 years

Watch our documentary

This documentary takes you behind the scenes of our journey—from humble beginnings to a leading wildlife rescue center in South Africa. Discover the people dedicating their lives to this mission, the challenges of rehabilitating wildlife in an urban landscape, and why every rescue matters for the future of conservation.

2025 fundraiser tracker

As we celebrate 45 years of saving wildlife, we are setting a symbolic goal: R450,000 in donations throughout 2025. Every contribution—big or small—helps fund our mission to rehabilitate injured, orphaned, and displaced animals.

Track our progress in real-time and join us in making a lasting impact on South Africa’s wildlife.

R200 of R450 000 raised

Adam van der Merwe

Amount Donated

R50

Anonymous

Amount Donated

R1 000

Anonymous

Amount Donated

R1 000

Anonymous

Amount Donated

R250

Caryn Erasmus

Amount Donated

R50

Anonymous

Amount Donated

R200

other ways to donate

By debit order

You can download the debit order form and return it to us at info@crowkzn.co.za.

By EFT

In order to make an offline donation we ask that you please follow these instructions:

Transfer your donation to the following bank account:

C.R.O.W.
First National Bank
Acc: 50770230859
Branch Code: 222126
SWIFT/BIC: FIRNZAJJ

Please email a proof of payment to info@crowkzn.co.za with your details, so we can thank you!

why wildlife rehabilitation in urban settings matter

At CROW, we see firsthand the consequences of human activity on wildlife. These are the four biggest challenges our local wildlife face, and why rehabilitation matters.

URBAN EXPANSION

Rapid urbanization is shrinking natural habitats, forcing wildlife to adapt to human-dominated spaces, often leading to conflict and harm. In 2024, CROW admitted

1932 animals

due to these effects, with the top 3 cases being:

Birds fallen from nests due to tree removal.

Vervet monkey attacked by dogs.

Abandoned antelope due to food scarcity.

HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT

Human activity and misconceptions lead to harmful interactions, increasing the need for rescue and rehabilitation efforts. In 2024, CROW admitted

265 animals

due to these effects, with the top 3 cases being:

Antelope hit by cars as roads fragment habitats.

Vervet monkeys kept as pets.

Owl poisoned due to superstition.

URBAN ECOSYSTEMS

Wildlife is essential in maintaining ecological balance in urban areas, and harming them disrupts this complex and delicate balance. In 2024, CROW admitted

36 animals

due to these effects, with the top 3 cases being:

Mongoose trapped in plastic.

Goose covered in oil leading to broken wing.

Seagull caught in fishing line and injured.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Extreme weather events, shifting temperatures, and habitat changes are increasing the number of displaced, injured, and stressed urban wildlife. In 2024, CROW admitted

48 animals

due to these effects, with the top 3 cases being:

Climate change impacts animal breeding season.

Wildfires injures animals and destroy habitats.

Floods endanger wildlife and ecosystems.

meet the people behind the mission

Rescuing wildlife is a team effort. Behind every animal saved, there is a team of people who dedicate their lives to making it happen.

Meet Tayla

our former primate officer from 2016 to 2020, who has a true passion for primate conservation.

Meet Genevieve

the owner of Flag Animal Farm and our voluntary rescue depot on the North Coast for over 12 years.

Meet Guy

our chairman of trustees, who has served CROW since 1988, beginning as our accounting officer.

Meet Isabelle

one of our long-term volunteers, who dedicated her time to following her passion of saving wildlife.

Meet Leanka

the receptionist from Northdene vet, which has stood by CROW’s side for over 27 years.

Meet Lynne

who started as a volunteer and transitioned into our voluntary rescue depot in Port Edward on South Coast.

fundraisers you can support

To celebrate this 45th year milestone and ensure our work continues for years to come, CROW has a series of exciting fundraising events. Whether you love outdoor challenges, community markets, or just a fun night out, there is a way for everyone to get involved. See upcoming fundraisers below and click for more information.