Entries by Bronwyn Hayes

Top dogs brought in to sniff out KZN’s rhino poachers

February 15, 2021 in , /by

KwaZulu-Natal wildlife authorities have brought out their top dogs — literally — to protect their rhinos. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife this week announced that it had formed a dog unit — in partnership with several individuals and organisations — in the hope it will not only protect the endangered animals but also help to catch poachers before they strike. “The K9 unit has adopted a proactive approach to apprehend poachers before they poach rhinos. Some of the operational expectations regarding this unit is that it is used to intercept poaching groups before they shoot rhino,” Ezemvelo said in a statement. “The unit […]

When dogs bark, are they using words to communicate?

February 16, 2021 in , /by

Does your dog bark a lot? Or is he one of those quiet pooches who barks only when things get really exciting? Most dogs bark at least a little. Dog barks are not words. But although your dog will never tell you about his parents or the weather or the amazing bone he had yesterday, his barks still communicate important information. Dog barks are much closer to the noises people make when they accidentally hit their thumb with a hammer – “Ow!” – or open a fantastic present – “Wow!” These sounds convey how someone feels, but not why they […]

Montego’s premium Karoo range expands to Cat food

February 12, 2021 in , /by

Montego Pet Nutrition is excited to announce the expansion of the Karoo range to a whole new cat-agory! Introducing Karoo Cat and Kitten, the newest addition to Karoo’s family of super-premium, limited ingredient recipes that is sure to make your cat purr with pleasure. The new Karoo Cat range is made with hearty and nutritious ingredients, vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, and high levels of antioxidants for an optimally balanced diet. The Montego Karoo Cat range contains up to 36% protein, which helps build and repair fur, skin, claws, and muscle. Now our feline friends can enjoy the super-premium quality […]

#BeMyValentine – Homeless pets offering love

February 11, 2021 in , /by

It’s the month of love and the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha is encouraging members of the public to show some love to homeless pets in need. Their #BeMyValentine campaign features dogs and cats up for adoption looking for sponsorship to make their Valentine’s day a happy one.   “Valentine’s Day has become an extremely commercialised event with people spending large amounts of money on gifts, chocolates and flowers. This year we are encouraging people to allow a homeless pet to be their Valentine by sponsoring them and showing them some love,” says Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Manager. […]

Vaccinating your best four legged friend: The Pros and Cons

February 10, 2021 in , /by

We all love our domestic pets and only want what is best for them. But love, food, shelter and cuddles aren’t all that they need. They are at risk from a variety of potentially dangerous diseases or illnesses which can be avoided through the use of essential vaccinations recommended by all vets. Not only can the owner protect the well-being of the animal, be it a cat, dog or other common household pet, but it can be a significant means of avoiding potentially costly treatments, which may be necessary for our furry friends if they are not protected by the […]

Smart Cameras That Stop Wind Turbines When Birds Approach Massively Reduce Eagle Deaths

February 9, 2021 in , /by

Renewable energy is now the cheapest energy on the planet. Countries all over the globe are rapidly converting from destructive and limited fossil fuels to wind turbines, solar power and even more creative options, including the UK which is now powered more by renewables than other sources.   Despite being one of the best sources of renewable energy, wind turbines have received significant pushback from opposition that claims they kill native bird populations. It is a valid criticism – research has shown collisions with turbine blades do kill birds, albeit at a fraction of the rate fossil-fueled power plants do.  In an attempt to minimize the ecological […]

No shade, no company, no exercise – that’s no life for sad elephant Charlie

February 9, 2021 in , /by

Specialists from around the world have petitioned Environment Minister Barbara Creecy to release into a sanctuary a Pretoria Zoo elephant bereaved by the loss of partners and offspring and showing signs of stress. Charlie leans against a rock, listless, bored and unstimulated. There’s no space for him to exercise (wild elephants travel huge distances) and no enrichment equipment. He suffers from colic, unknown in free elephants. In his sandy, desert-like enclosure at the Pretoria Zoo, he has witnessed the death of his female companions and his young son, Deneo. Alone, he has the form of an elephant, but without the […]

‘Don’t approach the Fourways hippo,’ warns Endangered Wildlife Trust

February 5, 2021 in , /by

The Endangered Wildlife Trust says it is concerned about the safety of people and of the hippo seen wandering in Fourways. EWT’s Constant Hoogstad said that though they were worried the hippo might get hurt while it is in that area, they were also concerned it might cause serious injuries to people. “It’s a two-way street. We are worried about the safety of the hippo and also concerned about people’s lives,” he said. Earlier on Monday there were reports on social media that the hippo had been killed and eaten, but Hoogstad said this was not true. “We established that […]

Canine Parvo Virus is at an all-time high; pet parents urged to vaccinate

January 28, 2021 in , /by

Canine Parvo Virus (CPV) is once again making its way across the Western Cape province at a rapid rate and the plea to pet parents from clinics, vets and shelters is to vaccinate. Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha first alerted the Western Cape community of the spike on their social media pages and website last week when they began to see an increase in Parvo cases at their clinic. While it may be contained to certain areas right now, it is only a matter of time before the virus spreads, cautions Dr. Guy Fyvie, Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s veterinary advisor. “CPV […]

Canine Body Language

January 15, 2021 in /by

Dogs are very expressive animals. They communicate when they’re feeling happy, sad, nervous, fearful and angry, and they use their faces and bodies to convey much of this information. This article is from the ASPCA website. aspcabehavior.org Dog body language is an elaborate and sophisticated system of nonverbal communication that, fortunately, we can learn to recognize and interpret. Once you learn how to “read” a dog’s postures and signals, you’ll better understand his feelings and motivations and be better able to predict what he’s likely to do. These skills will enable you to interact with dogs with greater enjoyment and safety. […]