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Donderdag 6 Maart 2025
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Giraffe rescue remarkable LIENTJIE MENTZ A giraffe initially given little chance of survival due to a severe leg injury is recovering well after surgery was performed under extraordinary circumstances to save the young animal. This followed a carefully coordinated wildlife rescue mission, bringing together experts from across the globe to ensure the animal’s survival. Staff of the University of the Free State (UFS), along with a team of American veterinarians reseaching giraffe hoof health, did the groundbreaking work on a farm between Dealesville and Boshof. The giraffe, named Oscar, is now walking with his herd just one week after undergoing the surgery. Prof. Francois Deacon of the Department of Animal Sciences at the UFS, says the operation – which took place on 19 February – was performed on a remote game farm. The farm owner noticed the giraffe limping, and suspected a broken leg. He contacted Dr Andri Grobbelaar, a UFS PhD graduate specialising in giraffe healthcare and welfare. The timing was fortunate, as a team of American veterinarians researching giraffe hoof health was visiting the UFS, making them the perfect addition to the rescue effort. Deacon says various scientists doing research on giraffes regularly visit the UFS.
Prof. Francois Deacon of the UFS Department of Animal Sciences (left), with Dr Liza Dadone and Dr Steve Foxforth, both large herbivore hoofcare and trimming specialists from the United States.
While the exact cause of the injury remains unclear, Deacon speculates that the rough terrain may have played a role. “The farm has rocky outcrops and uneven surfaces, so it’s possible the giraffe’s leg got caught between rocks, or it stepped into a warthog hole, leading to the fracture.”
The young giraffe is set free after his leg was put in a splint.
Rescuing a wild giraffe is no small feat, especially in a remote location. Immobilising the animal safely required refined capture techniques, and a team of five experienced wildlife veterinarians, including experts who had previously published research on giraffe capture techniques, worked together. “The terrain made it difficult to get close enough to dart the giraffe, and once immobilised, we had to act quickly,” says Deacon. Dr Willem Daffue of the Kroonstad
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Animal Hospital led the surgical procedure, using his extensive experience in treating giraffes. “Time was critical, as prolonged immobilisation could lead to severe health complications,” he adds. Upon closer examination, the team confirmed the giraffe’s leg was severely damaged. The lower leg was loose and broken, posing a risk that bones could pierce the skin. Under sedation and local anaesthesia, the veterinarians cleaned the wound and removed the bone fragments. They
then stabilised the leg using surgical stainless-steel pins and reinforced it with a thick splint, supported by PVC pipes. Deacon says the procedure posed a unique challenge, as there were no existing references for splinting a giraffe’s leg in such a condition. To monitor the giraffe’s progress with minimal disturbance, the team utilised drone technology. American veterinarians Dr Liza Dadone and Dr Steve Foxforth – both experts in giraffe care from international zoo environments – were instrumental in administering antibiotics and advising on hoof care. One week post-surgery, the giraffe is thriving, defying expectations. The game farm owner and farm staff report that he is walking with the herd and keeping pace with the others – an encouraging sign. “Over the next six to eight weeks, we will continue to monitor his condition. If healing progresses as expected, the splint will be removed, and he could have up to a 50% chance of making a full recovery,” says Deacon. The giraffe’s young age and relatively low body weight are working in his favour, giving hope that he may one day return to full health – an extraordinary outcome made possible by global collaboration, expert intervention, and a commitment to wildlife conservation.
Meld misdaad by polisie aan, vra LUR “Die gemeenskap moet die polisie se hande sterk maak, onder meer deur verdagte aktiwiteite aan te meld en aan gemeenskapspolisiëring-optrede deel te neem – of selfs net deur waaksaam te wees.” Só het Jabu Mbalula, die LUR vir gemeenskapsveiligheid, paaie en vervoer, op Dinsdag 4 Maart gesê toe die Vrystaat se
nuutste misdaadstatistiek bekend gemaak is. “Dit is baie belangrik dat mense misdaad by die polisie aanmeld sodat statistieke ontleed kan word en die regsproses doeltreffend kan wees,” het Mbalula beklemtoon. ) Lees die volledige berig op BloemNuus se aanlyn blad onder “Streeknuus” op Netwerk24.
BANK POWER OF ATTORNEY AUCTION OF WOODLAND HILLS HOUSE THURSDAY, 20 MARCH 2025 AT 11:00 Duly instructed in terms of a Bank Power of Attorney, we will o er the following property for sale by public auction at, Oud Studente Sports Club, 7 Krige Street, Bloemfontein. FIXED PROPERTY: Erf Nr 28907, 1 Boerboon Street, Woodland Hills, Ext 166 Bloemfontein, Mangaung Municipality, Free State Province. In Extent: 1 134 m² and held by Title deed No T11584/2014. IMPROVEMENTS: Luxury, 4 Bedroom house with the following improvements: Top floor: Large master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and a balcony, bedroom with en-suite bathroom and a balcony which is shared with bedroom 4, bedroom and another large bedroom with the shared balcony and a study. All these rooms have built-in cupboards. Bottom floor: Open plan living area, dining area and kitchen, scullery with space for washing machine and tumble dryer. The kitchen and scullery have built-in cupboards. Entertainment area with built-in braai. 2 Bedroom flat with bathroom, open plan kitchen and living area. 2 Double garages (one is larger than a standard garage) and there is a room with bathroom for a worker. Neat garden with swimming pool.
VEIWING: DEWALD: 072 576 9828 EDDIE: 073 326 7777
CONDITIONS: FIXED PROPERTY: A DEPOSIT of 10 % of the purchase price PLUS 6 % BUYERS COMMISSION PLUS VAT is payable on the day of the auction. For the balance the Buyer must provide a bank guarantee within 30 days of date of confirmation. ALL FINANCING MUST BE IN PLACE. Auction rules on www.htaa.co.za. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS: R20 000 REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT. COMPLIANCE WITH FICA REQUIREMENTS. Pre-registration is a requirement.
t: 053 574 0002 20 Ossewa Street 20, Petrusburg, 9932 www.htaa.co.za
HUGO & TERBLANCHE AUCTIONEERS | ESTATE AGENTS AFSLAERS | EIENDOMSAGENTE X1YE57G1-BL060325