Entries by Bronwyn Hayes

The Last Rhinos of Lombardini: One Man’s Mission to Keep Them Safe

July 7, 2025 in , , , /by

The Last Rhinos of Lombardini: One Man’s Mission to Keep Them Safe Eastern Cape, South Africa – In the quiet rural stretch between Patensie and Humansdorp, where citrus orchards roll into game reserves, lives a young conservationist whose life has been shaped by the heartbeat of the wild. Justin Terblanche (27), affectionately known as the “Rhino Whisperer,” has launched 83333a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to raise R176,000 for a thermal drone that could be a crucial tool in the fight against rhino poaching. His campaign, titled “Eyes in the Sky for Our Last Rhinos,” has already raised over R47,000 through […]

10 Facts About Chickens

July 6, 2025 in , , , /by

10 Facts About Chickens There’s a lot more to chickens than being simple egg and meat suppliers Did you know that chickens can see more colours than humans do? This is just one of many fascinating facts about these interesting, feathered animals. Highly intelligent and sociable, chickens are complex creatures and they have been part of human lives for many years. Here are 10 facts about these special birds that might surprise you. Chickens love to play, run, skip and flap their wings. They also enjoy sunbathing. Hens teach sounds to their chicks while they are still in the egg. […]

Used, Scarred, Exploited — 55 Beagle Survivors of Animal Testing Now Free

July 5, 2025 in , , , , /by

Used, Scarred, Exploited — 55 Beagle Survivors of Animal Testing Now Free Beagle Freedom Project (BFP) is carrying out the largest international rescue in its history — saving 55 survivors from an animal testing laboratory.   On Tuesday, May 20th, the initial group of 30 beagles will arrive, taking their first steps to freedom after lives of confinement, exploitation, and neglect.  WHAT THE 55 SURVIVORS ENDURED  Used as live “practice tools” to cut into their abdominal organs  Each bears a fresh surgical incision; none were given proper post-op care  Identified only by an ear tattoo, never by a name  Spent their lives […]

How to Care for Cat Paw Pads

July 4, 2025 in , , , , , , /by

How to Care for Cat Paw Pads Your cat’s paws are as important to them as your hands and feet are to you. As a cat parent, it’s important to help your cat maintain healthy paws. This quick guide to cat paw care will help you keep your furry friend’s paw pads healthy and clean. Why Care for Cat Paw Pads? Think for a moment about how cats use their paws. They walk across a variety of surfaces in your house, including dirty surfaces such as the litter box. If they’re allowed outside, they may walk across rough and rocky […]

A bonding affair – Family bonds are not exclusive to humans

July 3, 2025 in , , /by

A bonding affair – Family bonds are not exclusive to humans Mother ˈmʌðə/ noun: A woman or female animal in relation to her child or offspring. Verb: To bring up (a child or offspring) with care and affection. Family bonds are not exclusive to humans. The animal kingdom has shown species with important family relationships, mainly a mother towards her offspring. It’s important to remember humans aren’t the only ones who take extraordinary steps to protect, nurture and raise their young. The animal kingdom is full of mothers who protect their babies, teach them to find food, and demonstrate behavior […]

TEARS Animal Rescue -Mandela Day 6’n’7 Project

July 2, 2025 in , , , /by

TEARS Animal Rescue -Mandela Day 6’n’7 Project Feeding Pets to keep Families Together. This Mandela Day, TEARS Animal Rescue is on a mission to raise funds to purchase 13 tonnes of pet food – that’s 6 tonnes for cats and 7 tonnes for dogs – to sustain the TEARS Feed Hungry Pets Programme for the next 6 months. In the low-income communities we serve, many families are facing severe financial hardship. They love their pets dearly, but when the cupboards are bare and the bills keep mounting, feeding their animals becomes an overwhelming challenge. For some, the heartbreaking reality is […]

Is Your Cat Slowing Down?

July 1, 2025 in , , , , , , , , /by

Is Your Cat Slowing Down? At the age of 12, your cat seems to be slowing down a bit, and that could be perfectly normal. After all, a cat of her age—equivalent to the age of 65 or so in a human—has been living a full life and deserves to take it easy on herself. Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to have the animal checked out by your veterinarian. It’s quite possible that her diminished activity is a consequence not of her advancing age but of a debilitating pain in one or more of her joints. Slowed-down, reclusive behavior is […]

Floods Devastate Khayelitsha Leaving Pets in Crisis

June 28, 2025 in , , , /by

Floods Devastate Khayelitsha Leaving Pets in Crisis Torrential rains have wreaked havoc across Cape Town, leaving parts of Khayelitsha township submerged under water. Homes are knee-deep in floodwater, and countless pets have been left stranded, shivering, and vulnerable to the elements. The Mdzananda Animal Clinic, based in Khayelitsha, has launched an emergency response to rescue and care for animals affected by the floods. The organisation’s field team has been working around the clock, wading through flooded streets to find and assist animals in distress. “We’ve found dogs chained in the rain, cats soaked and hiding under rubble, and families doing their […]

10 Facts about Dairy Cattle

June 30, 2025 in , , /by

10 Facts about Dairy Cattle Interesting and surprising facts about cows Milk is a dairy product that is in many food products, such as cheese and yoghurt. It comes from dairy cattle (dairy cows), which are specific breeds of cattle that have been bred and farmed for their ability to produce large amounts of milk for human consumption. For the female cows to produce milk, they need to be continuously impregnated and sadly, for many dairy cows around the globe, life is far from dignified; being used and abused in farming systems. These animals are intelligent and fascinating! How much […]

How is conservation preparing for a much hotter world? Experts share

June 29, 2025 in , , /by

How is conservation preparing for a much hotter world? Experts share Fifty years from now, in 2075, the world will be considerably hotter, perhaps as much as 3-5° Celsius (4.5 to 9° Fahrenheit) above the pre-industrial average. Experts say we need to focus on building greater resilience into ecosystems now to help species get through the next half century. We should be protecting large landscapes, including altitudinal gradients, according to experts. We should also be focusing on good management, community relations, rewilding and restoration. About 90 kilometers (56 miles) southeast of Cape Town lies the tranquilly-named town of Betty’s Bay […]