What to do when you find animals in fire affected areas of the Western Cape Mountains

What to do with Animals after wild fire

(Find contact numbers below for help)


With wildfires sweeping through vast areas under the control of Cape Nature, the custodian of much of the Cape Floristic Region's protected land has issued public notice about what to do if members of the public comes across wild animals in the affected areas.

Cape Nature is an organization that still permits inhumane hunting methods. So it is, perhaps, unsurprising that its public directive would override any impulse toward compassion in such circumstances. While this position is probably grounded in some conservation reasoning, what is clear, however, is that advice of the Kogelberg Wildlife Rescue Centre, which cares for affected individual animals encountered in wildfire-affected areas, allows for more of an immediate interventionist approach in certain limited instances.

However, common sense and the rugulation should in most instances prevail.

Cape Nature is responsible for the protection of biodiversity in its totality in its reserves, and that perhaps informs its colder attitude towards non human animals that are caught in the path of scorching fires.

Cape Nature states that although non-human animals may seem injured or disoriented, most are capable of moving to safety and recovering on their own. Even well-meant interference can cause extreme stress, further injury or even death. They may endanger people.

This somewhat contradicts Michelle Watson founder of the Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue and Training Centre who is quoted in Groundup “... a fynbos fire burns so hot and so fast that just about nothing survives ... First, the smoke inhalation slows them down. As soon as the fire hits, they are instantly incinerated. I am almost thankful that they don’t suffer for long.”

She said hundreds, “possibly thousands” of animals, including bat-eared foxes, mongeese, genets, dassies, badger, antelope, frogs, caracals and porcupines, have died in recent fires.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare says that wildfires often destroy or contaminate natural food sources, forcing wildlife to move beyond their usual home ranges. To survive they head through unfamilar terrain to get food and shelter. This puts them in danger of traffic, domestic pets, and unfamiliar predators. Even if they make it to new areas they may get into territorial conflict and intense competion for scarce resourses.

Cape Nature's directive to the public says that only trained, authorized individuals and facilities with the proper permits are legally allowed to handle, transport, or rehabilitate wild animals, as required by environmental legislation. Taking wildlife without authorization is illegal, regardless of intent.

Volunteers can join permitted agencies to help immediately after fires to track injured animal.

What to do if you encounter wildlife affected by fire:

Watson of the wildlife rehab centre says if a burnt tortoise is found, the first thing to do is pour water over them. Take a wet towel and put it over the tortoise. Keep it wet, keep it cold, keep it hydrated.

Cape Nature says: If you encounter wildlife that is injured, trapped or in immediate danger because of a wildfire:

  • Keep a safe distance and ensure people and pets do not interfere
  • Unless the animal is in danger, do not attempt to feed or move the animal
  • Observe and note the location (GPS/Pin location if possible)
  • Species identification
  • Description of the injuries to the animal

Who to Call:

  • Kogelberg Wildlife Rehab Centre: 27 82 380 9071
  • CapeNature Regional Offices:
    • Cederberg: 082 455 5569
    • Cape Peninsula: 072 592 3517 until 14 January and 076 103 4615 onwards
    • Boland and Kogelberg: 082 785 1045
    • Witzenberg: 082 784 7173
    • Overstrand: 087 087 3841 / 071 999 5348
    • Langeberg: 087 087 3895 / 082 496 2449
    • Paarl: 087 087 4170
    • Garden Route: 044 802 5300/ 087 087 3037
    • Karoo: 087 087 3002
  • SPCA Offices:
    • Beaufort West: 072 847 7312
    • Cape of Good Hope: 021 700 4140 / 083 26 1604
    • Franschhoek: 083 745 5344 / 083 745 5344
    • Garden Route – George – Mossel Bay: 044 878 1990/3 / 082 378 7384
    • Paarl: 021 863 2720 082 510 6387
    • Swartland – Darling – Vredenburg: 022 492 2781 / 082 414 7153
    • Swellendam: 028 514 2083 / 084 737 1948
    • Wellington: 021 864 3726 / 082 905 9184
    • Winelands: 023 615 2241 / 071 025 7805