Table Mountain went up in flames on Sunday, April 18. The damage to buildings and infrastructure in the area is immense and still being calculated.
Many people have opened their hearts and their pockets for people displaced and affected by the fire. Our City’s brave firefighters have been risking their lives to bring the blaze under control – dousing down flames and preventing flare-ups as they go along.
On the outskirts of charred patches, the inspectors and volunteers of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA have been monitoring the veld for any signs of animal life.
There’s no overlooking the fact that Table Mountain’s wildlife suffered dramatically as a result of the inferno.
Watch: a brave man going above and beyond to save a bunny from the inferno.#capetownfire https://t.co/3gLkBgzwwM https://t.co/ywhVSRoVhi
— Cape {town} Etc (@CapeTownEtc) April 19, 2021
“We are monitoring the periphery for any animals fleeing the flames and we are deeply concerned for those who may be trapped in the inferno,” says the SPCA’s Belinda Abraham. “As soon as we can, we will be combing the fire-ravaged areas for any injured animals who will be brought back to our short-term wildlife care facility for treatment.
“Some areas are still actively burning or smouldering and the ground is so hot, the soles of our Inspectors shoes are melting. Amongst the carnage the Cape Town Fire has left in its wake we have found only one snake that could be saved … “but this first sign of life has given us the hope we needed to continue believing and continue searching. Our past experience has taught us that wild animals will often return to their area’s of origin, where they had burrows or nests and we are looking out for these animals too whose feet no doubt will burn on the hot ground”, says Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson, Belinda Abraham.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA was established in 1872 – the first SPCA in South Africa.
“From experience, we know we will need a lot of dressings, bandages, Silbecor ointment, cool packs, fresh fruit and vegetables for the animals and supplies like energy drinks, energy bars and eyedrops for the team in the field.”
For more information, visit the Cape of Good SPCA Facebook page.
If you would like to donate, click here.
If the PayFast page isn’t working, here are direct bank details:
NAME: The Cape of Good Hope SPCA
BANK: STANDARD BANK Cheque Account
ACCOUNT: 071832858
BRANCH: Constantia (025309)
Picture/s: Supplied