South Africa’s oldest wildlife sanctuary CROW struggling to survive – Clint Halkett-Siddall

CROW is South Africa's oldest wildlife rehabilitation centre. For the past 43 years, the centre has been rehabilitating and releasing wild animals and birds. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which suspended their international volunteer programme for two years, combined with the devastating 2022 floods in Kwazulu-Natal and the current cost of living crisis, the centre is in danger of closing down. In an interview with BizNews, Clint Halkett-Siddall, the Director of CROW, shed light on the centre's current plight. What was once a sanctuary rescuing 3,000 to 4,000 injured, orphaned and displaced animals and birds annually is now facing a grim reality: a mere ten months of operational costs stand between them and closure. In a bid to keep their doors open, Halkett-Siddall said CROW has initiated a BackaBuddy campaign, reaching out for support. He emphasised the critical role played by CROW in educating future generations. CROW's education program has already reached 160,000 pupils. He said urbanisation is exacting a significant toll on South Africa's wildlife.