News - February 2008CONTACT US:
Dear All Waking up on New Year's Day, 2008, to find fish swimming down what was left of our road, our game fence floating down the river and the irate mongooses up to their fat, furry tummies in water indicated that this year will be as challenging and eventful as all the others! Torrential, continual rain has done a huge amount of damage, but has also given us a breath-taking waterfall, acres of lush green grass for grazing and a year's supply of water. The lions are thrilled - their enclosure is covered in shoulder high "adrenaline grass", which is ideal for practicing essential super-predator moves such as leap-frog, lying on their backs with just their hairy toes sticking up above the grass and sliding at speed on their enormous bottoms down the hill. The mongooses are also very pleased with the weather conditions - when their enclosure flooded we were forced to release them to wreak havoc within the Sanctuary; attempting a take over of the blue duikers' bedroom, terrorising the dogs and raiding the bar before making the donkey feed shed the base camp for their nefarious activities. We spend hectic days sand-bagging, digging drains, hauling rocks to fill in the massive wash-aways, mopping and swabbing and trudging through the mud and rain and streams of water to feed and care for the animals. We have become adept at extracting vehicles stuck in the mud, although I presented a challenge to the staff when I got so mired down that I couldn't open the car door and had to suffer the humiliation of the truck being bodily lifted out of the mud by what seemed to be most of the neighborhood with me still perched inside it, the Poster Child for women drivers everywhere. The houses are draped with endless swags of laundry - Scary the Marmoset's pink chenille blanket, Twala the Caracal's pure cotton hand-woven throw (hand wash only), Kevin the Greyhound's leopard-print duvet cover, Grumpy the Bushbaby's sheets which are impossible to get clean because he insists on eating grapes and flying ants in bed.... Constant power cuts add to the chaos, and equipment breaks down with frustrating and expensive regularity as power surges and low voltage damage compressors and motors. We currently have three deep freezers, a fridge and a geyser out of commission. Our computerised billing system, industrial catering equipment, washing machine and other essentials sit idle as there is insufficient power to run these appliances efficiently. The frustrating shortage of cash and basic foodstuffs such as margerine, cooking oil and sugar over the festive season added to the challenge. But, we make a plan and learn how little you can manage with if you have to! Our restaurant and bar still offers excellent service, the animals and birds remain in superb condition and the Sanctuary itself is lovingly cared for. As always, our family continues to grow. Two hinge-back tortoises, fifteen bantams and a duck, a rooster, a tiny white-face owl, a spotted eagle owl, a baby goat and two horses. Scary the Marmoset, never one to be outdone, swelled up to gigantic proportions in her most spectacular pregnancy yet. Endless bowls of cereal sweetened with maple syrup, finely diced fruit salad and vast quantities of strawberry yoghurt were demanded to maintain her hormonal equilibrium. Scarey's terrible tantrums are legendary, and we all have the scars to prove it (which is embarrassing because she is only the size of a squirrel) so scouring seven different supermarkets for yoghurt was par for the course. Thank goodness for our youngest sponsor, Thomas Wicke, who so generously provides our marmosets with what they need, including toys and treats. Finally, triumphantly, thankfully, Scary produced triplets - three fragile, furry scraps with striped tails and pink fingers and toes that the entire marmoset family nurture and dote on, taking turns to clean and cuddle them and carry them about on their backs. An urgent zebra rescue was carried out after a mare and her exquisite three month old foal were to be shot for eating a field of cabbages. As I was stuck in a Johannesburg traffic jam at the time I received the request for help, I was a little fraught. But, two hours and many frantic cell phone calls later, a rescue team was assembled - the Sanctuary staff, National Parks and the Z.N.S.P.C.A and Drs Dutlow and Marabini of Medi-Vet had the two zebras safe and secure at the Bally Vaughan Sanctuary by lunchtime. The Sanctuary Staff did an exceptional job safe guarding the zebras until assistance arrived, and I must thank Keith Dutlow and Lisa Marabini for their prompt and professional response to an emergency situation. The AWARE Trust, set up by Keith and Lisa to assist wildlife in dire need of veterinary assistance, also covered much of the cost of the rescue for which we are extremely grateful. Gordon Grierson and Milborrow Animal Health continue to assist generously with the upkeep of our donkeys, horses and zebra and Sarah Cornish of Preecepoint Trading who makes it possible for us to give them a happy life. None of the rescues would be possible without the assistance and support of Rudolph de Wet, and his company Seldex Fleet Management. We could not ask for a better friend. Kevin the Greyhound marked the start of the festive season by shearing his tendon right off the bone on Christmas Eve which meant a mad dash to the Twenty Four Hour Veterinary Surgery in the middle of the Christmas rush. Berkley the Brown Dog learnt the hard way what happens if you sniff a venomous snake and was fortunate to survive, and Mad Eleanor firstly threw the place into chaos by almost drowning herself in front of a hundred visitors on boxing day while hunting cat fish and then went into a decline from a bout of biliary. As if three dogs were not enough trouble, we then acquired Princess Fiona, an elderly German Shepherd who arrived on Christmas Eve as our guard dog from a Security Company, together with her handler. A couple of days into her stint as our Great Protector, we established that she was stone deaf and partially blind. Only at the Bally Vaughan Sanctuary could there be a guard dog whose two most vital sensory perceptions were non-existent! After Princess Fiona returned to the guard dog company we couldn't bear the thought of her heading off to work every night on her arthritic legs, unable to see clearly or hear in the constantly changing environment of all guard dogs, so we not only paid our enormous bill for her services, but bought her freedom too and brought her home to the Sanctuary where she is now a treasured member of our family and guards me with zealous and touching loyalty. There has been heart break too at the Sanctuary. Our beloved old donkey Spike passed away in the New Year. The rest of our donkey family gathered where he had fallen and stood in silent contemplation for the rest of that day, acknowledging the passing of their friend. Those of you who visit the Sanctuary regularly will miss his dear old whiskery face peering into the tea room in search of the titbits he so loved. He never missed a children's birthday party and the image of him observing with immense interest children playing "Pin the tail on the donkey" will always be in my mind. After the parties he never ate his supper as he was usually to be found snoozing peacefully with birthday cake crumbs on his whiskers and the occasional jelly tot stuck to his fur. After arriving at the Sanctuary two years ago emaciated, beaten and so broken down that not even his enormous, tattered ears could stand up, he wept real tears when we gave him his first meal. Loved by everyone, thoroughly indulged and finally treated with the love and respect he so deserved, his time with us was happy, peaceful and secure. "It is hard to know whether to weep because he died, or smile because he lived." We miss him every day. At the end of last year we fulfilled a dream - to release our warthogs, Oscar and Lucy. The le Breton family kindly agreed to give the warthogs a home, Nikki Kelder lent us her horse box once again and, after having done a horse rescue that same morning, we then transported the warthogs to the le Bretons'. As we had still not learned how to reverse the horse box we had the usual technical problems en route, but eventually arrived and released the warthogs who instantly shot off into the bush. Lucy returned promptly to investigate a metal sculpture of a pig she had passed on her way out, and deciding that it made a far more pleasant partner than the irascible Oscar, struck up an instant friendship with it. Oscar did not settle so quickly however and proceeded to lay waste to the workers' compound, empty the massive water tank (the only source of water for the entire farm) by turning on every tap on the property and showering blissfully beneath them, and generally creating havoc. Our dream turned into the le Bretons nightmare! I think it is great testament to Gus and Amanda le Breton's patience and fortitude that Oscar was not returned to the Bally Vaughan Sanctuary forthwith and we are very grateful to them for giving the warthogs such a wonderful home. King Kong descended upon us after Christmas. A miniscule baby vervet monkey with the face of an angel and the personality of a serial killer, he proceeded to strike terror into the hearts of all of us. Perfecting the "twist and shout" attack technique (he grabs onto your flesh with his teeth and twists as hard as he can; you shout in agony}, he is possibly the meanest baby we have ever had. He was rescued from horrific abuse so his lack of anger management is of course understandable, but painful none the less! Fortunately our gentle, placid baby baboon Sheila has taken on the role of babysitter and King Kong spends most of his days clutching onto Sheila's fat blue tummy and gazing out malignantly with hooded eyes from beneath her armpit. Many of the animals that arrive at the Sanctuary are in appalling condition - starved, injured, terrorised and bewildered. Under current economic conditions in Zimbabwe, the Sanctuary resources are constantly stretched to the limit and beyond as we rehabilitate and nurture new family members and continue to provide unstinting care for those animals already resident. Without our sponsors, donors and friends the Bally Vaughan Sanctuary would not function. There is nowhere else for these animals and birds to go and we believe that there is simply no other option other than to keep the Sanctuary operating to the very best of our ability, no matter what the circumstances around us. Thank you to the Bristows for rescuing King Kong and then so generously sponsoring him, to Miles Peech of Green Park, the Cameron family of Hamish Cameron who do so much for us, Tracey and Russell Turnbull, Catherine Carter who sponsors Kevin the Greyhound, The O'Toole family, Tina Wicke and her family - bringers of treats and surprises, and to Wendy Boshi who sponsors Getti the monkey, Rob Follet-Smith and family who sponsor Grumpy the bushbaby and so kindly donated essentials for our orphans, and our long-standing friend and supporter Steve Curle for giving our little primates everything they need to be healthy and happy. Steve Curle is also a generous sponsor of our predators and we thank him for going to so much trouble to supply them with wonderful dinners, and our thanks also go to Stoff Hawgood, Hannes Cruger of Crugs Chooks, the Bean family, and to Mr Bhura and Milly Muli of Strathaven Spar. Annabelle Gritz is a new sponsor of Kadiki the Lioness and Rose McLean has generously sponsored our beloved hyena Blossom. Sue Ward helped to make the animals' Christmas everything they could want by giving the Sanctuary a much appreciated Christmas present and Brooke Mason became Zip the Zonkey's sponsor. Dave and Jenny Adams of Radiator Services continue to offer generous and constant support and friendship to the Sanctuary as does Emma Robinson. We thank our friends the Middletons, Lorna Batchelor and family, Audra Turner and the Houghton family who made a donation in memory of their beloved cat, Sue Roberts, Dr Stu Gordon, Mrs Erdelji who made a donation in memory of her dog Bobby, Mr Marsley, Ian and Audrey Blake, Ian Grierson, Alec Taylor, Victoria Blackwell for generous assistance with the rescue horses, Keith Philips of Premier Asset Management for donating a computer to the Sanctuary, the Vaughns, the Snymans who sponsor the mongooses, Flea, Alexandra and Sophie Bean who sponsor Khan the leopard, Richard Lombard who produces and donates our superb Ultimate Diaries, and as always Carol Hobbs and her family. Donald Hobbs very bravely took his life in his hands when he volunteered to keep me company on a weapons proficiency course. I think after that experience I will continue to rely on my tree-climbing skills rather than a gun for dangerous animal control! Torsten Lager held his thirtieth birthday party at the Sanctuary and requested that guests give a donation to the Sanctuary rather than give him birthday presents. Torsten's donation made a significant difference to the Sanctuary and we are very grateful to him for his kindness. Without the friendship and support of the volunteers the Sanctuary would not be the same. Waylon Lewis is the only person I knew I could call at 4pm on a Friday afternoon for help with the urgent recovery of three carcasses a hundred kilometres away. Unfortunately, when I called, Waylon was at the National Show Jumping Championships, so his bright enquiries as to who could help us out with transporting 3 dead horses to feed to the lions were somewhat coldly met initially. Waylon being Waylon, however, arrived thirty minutes later with not just a horse box, but a pick up truck and fuel coupon too! With still no idea how to maneuver a horse box our journey was somewhat eventful, but as always at the Bally Vaughan Sanctuary, we completed the mission! Charles Brakspear has lived and worked at the Sanctuary for 3 months as an overseas volunteer and has been a welcome addition. We thank him for his invaluable donation to the Sanctuary of vital veterinary equipment, tools and a host of hugely useful things! We will miss his great sense of humour and rapport with all at the Sanctuary when he returns to the UK. Conan Stockil has generously taken on the task of producing a superb DVD of the Bally Vaughan Sanctuary and has captured the essence of our ideals and the unique haven that the Sanctuary has become for our animals and birds. Mel Phillips, Lesley Ives, Sylvia Carter, Mike Trask and Diane Twiggs are friends indeed, and Dr Vinay Ramlaul, without whom none of it would mean the same. Having taken a few days leave after the hectic Christmas season, I returned to my home to find that my caracals had expressed their displeasure by destroying carefully selected household items. The bathroom, as always, was badly hit - toothpaste and shower gel oozing pungently onto the bathmat, the curtains tossed into the bath tub and the toilet roll minutely shredded and artfully stuck onto every available surface. They seem to have focused most of their energy on the couch in the living room however - when I arrived at the upholsterers and his staff unloaded the tattered, sagging remnants, he said conversationally, "Madame, one day those animals will eat you instead of your furniture." I think I am the only person who gets the same items of furniture re-stuffed, re-sprung and re-covered at least once a year. Having recovered from the shock of me arriving at his premises for the first time with a disemboweled sleeper couch covered in enormous tooth marks and claw slashes and explaining that the perpetrators were lions, he now asks after the animals with great interest and gives me a discount for cash. I should have learnt by now not to get on the wrong side of the caracals, for their retaliation is always swift, brutal and ingenious. Once when Dr Ramlaul had annoyed them by leaving his bicycle in their bedroom, they quietly gnawed tiny holes in his water bottle so that the water seeped away imperceptibly until he reached for it halfway through a marathon cycle ride and found it empty. They particularly loathe my long-suffering mother, Sylvia, and have succeeded in dissuading her from staying over at our house. Lying in wait in a darkened corridor as she made her way to the bathroom late one night, they leapt into attack in unison, and Harry and Henry managed to get themselves up the front of her night dress. I awoke to thudding and banging and the terror-stricken tones of my mother gasping "Help me Sarah, they're in my nightie", which puzzled me somewhat until I switched on the light and saw the terrible scene before me. Having previously tried to kill her by pushing over a ceiling-high Christmas tree on top of her, the nightie incident was the final straw. She has not been back since. Please continue to support the work of the Bally Vaughan Sanctuary. Every time you visit us, sponsor an animal or assist us in any way, tell someone about us or forward our newsletter, it helps us in our fight to take care of our beloved and ever-growing family. On behalf of the animals and birds who cannot speak for themselves and who benefit so much from your support, I thank you all. With love and thanks to you all Sarah and The Bally Vaughan Sanctuary Family
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