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01/11/2026

“YOU ARE NOT WORTHY TO BE BORN.
YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO LIVE.”

Words reportedly spoken by a Richards Bay resident.

Last week, Friday, 23 October, we received a call from a member of the public. There was a vervet monkey lying in her yard, barely able to breathe.

Good Collen immediately jumped into action, drove out to collect her and rushed her to the vet.

After examining her, Dr Otto realised that this little mommy was in a critical condition. She was in severe distress and struggling desperately to breathe.

Using special anaesthesia, Dr Otto carefully examined her throat, where a lump was discovered that was making breathing extremely difficult.

It was also suspected that she had fallen from a tree or possibly a roof, as she was completely disorientated.

But the X-rays revealed something far more devastating.

She had been shot. Several times.

One pellet was lodged in her head. Others were found in her abdomen and spine.

Just let that sink in.

A living, feeling animal. A mother carrying an unborn baby. Shot, injured and left to suffer, yet somehow still fighting for her life.

Whilst I was holding her, she suddenly started vomiting. Within moments, she died in my arms.

And then there was THE BABY.

Her unborn little one.

Was the baby ready to be born? Would it survive outside its mother’s womb? We didn’t know. We had no time to contemplate the possibilities.

We had to try.

In an act of desperation, we decided to take a chance and perform an emergency Caesarean section on mommy, hoping against all hope that there might still be a little life we could save.

We could not save the mother. But could we save her baby?

And so began another desperate race against time…

But the cruelty does not end with mommy’s death.

Little Jutta has a long road ahead. She will have to go to a specialised rehabilitation centre, where she will eventually become part of a suitable troop. Only then, hopefully, can she be released back into the wild.

It will take an estimated 4 to 6 YEARS before this little girl can finally be free.

Four to six years of food.
Four to six years of medical bills.
Four to six years of rehabilitation and dedicated care.

One selfish act of cruelty has now resulted in years of responsibility for another innocent life.

WHO WILL PAY FOR LITTLE JUTTA’S CARE?

Who will financially adopt her and stand by her for the next four to six years, until she can finally return to the freedom she deserves?

The person responsible may have walked away, but the consequences of that one act of cruelty will remain for years to come.

And now, we ask ourselves: What goes through the mind of a person who raises a weapon and shoots a defenceless animal? What kind of cruelty allows someone to inflict such suffering on a creature that is simply trying to survive?

A mother should never have to die like this. And an unborn baby should never have to pay the price for someone’s cruelty.

At The White Eye Foundation, we will continue to answer the calls. We will continue to show up. We will continue to fight for those who have no voice.

Because even when the world turns its back on them, we won’t.

THE REST OF THIS STORY…

Is one that will stay with us for a very, very long time.

At the end, ALL LIFE MATTERS.

The White Eye Foundation

We Will Not Be Silenced about Hunters
fans
Save Scarborough Baboons
The Herald
Zululand Observer
Witbank News
South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Owl Rescue Centre
Huisgenoot
East Coast Radio
Natural History Museum, London

Prime CREW Wildlife
Roar Wildlife News
Carte Blanche
Bambelela Wildlife Care NPC & Vervet Monkey Rehab
Silke Von Eynern Bambelela
African Raptor Centre
Beeld
@

31/10/2026

NOT for survival
NOT for self defence
But JUST because they CAN.

The obligatory stick to prise the mouth open to show teeth.

A sentient being that had just been minding own business,trying to survive, killed for the pleasure of this dom doos.

And hunters WONDER why they are despised.

Every day is HELLoween for wildlife thanks to hunters.

It is despicable. THEY are despicable.

Thanks to our friends at Arboretum Veterinary Clinic for the heads up. They are wonderful people who SAVE life unlike the person in this photo who DESTROYS life.


MACKEREL AREA MEERENSEE:Shooting a defenceless animal in the arm, deliberately leaving her to suffer for the rest of her...
31/10/2026

MACKEREL AREA MEERENSEE:

Shooting a defenceless animal in the arm, deliberately leaving her to suffer for the rest of her life, does not make you powerful. It makes you cruel, cowardly and morally bankrupt.

You measure your strength against a tiny, vulnerable creature weighing less than one kilogram. What a pathetic display of human superiority.

Let me make one thing very clear: whether you like vervet monkeys or despise them is entirely irrelevant. You have NO right to shoot them, injure them or condemn them to years of unnecessary suffering.

And to make matters worse, you are discharging a fi***rm in a residential area, putting human lives, pets and other wildlife at risk. That is not only irresponsible; it may constitute a serious criminal offence.

If the presence of vervets brings out such hatred and violence in you, perhaps it is YOU who should consider moving. They were here long before your resentment, and they are not going to disappear simply because you don’t like them.

What makes this particularly sickening is the hypocrisy. I wonder how many times you raise your hands in praise, sing Hallelujah and proclaim your Christian values on a Sunday, only to return to such cruelty during the week.

You cannot preach compassion on Sunday and practise cruelty on Monday.

You are nothing better than those committing FARM MURDERS / PLAAS MOORDE!

And to the person responsible: I hope you understand that this animal’s suffering does not simply disappear when you put down your gun. She will carry the consequences of your cruelty every single day.

May God see what you have done. May He hold you accountable for your actions, because no creature deserves to suffer at the hands of someone who mistakes cruelty for power.

A defenceless animal cannot defend herself against your weapon. But that does not make you strong. It exposes just how small you really are.

29/10/2026

WHEN BRENDON MURRAY FROM THE Owl Rescue Centre CALLS YOU, YOU KNOW IT’S NO HOAX! 🦅❤️

(Remember, the Owl Rescue Centre is based in Hartebeespoort, while we are here in Richards Bay — approximately 700 km apart!)

It all started with this message:

“Hi, Owl Rescue.

I was referred to you by a friend. I have a hawk that’s stuck on my mom’s fence. Its wing is hooked, and it keeps struggling, which I think is cutting the wing even more.

We’re at Mzingazi, on the outskirts of Meer en See. I could describe the place to you or wait for whoever is coming on the main road, since I can’t share my live location.” From: Sthembile and Amahle Jali

I immediately phoned a friend, and off we went to Mzingazi!

What we found was truly unbelievable. How this beautiful bird managed to get itself so hopelessly entangled in the fence is something only the bird will ever know.

Fortunately, I had brought my trusty side cutters along. We initially managed to cut through some of the wire and tried to free the bird, but it soon became clear that this was far more complicated than simply removing it from the fence.

The bird was thoroughly entangled, and attempting to pull it free could have caused even more damage.

So, we made the decision to cut away the entire section of fencing, and off we went to Dr Otto — taking the bird, wire and all!

Please take a moment to watch the video. Yes, I know it’s a little long, but I wanted you to see just how terribly this juvenile black sparrowhawk was trapped. Sometimes, a photograph simply cannot tell the whole story.

❤️ THE GOOD NEWS!

Our little patient is recovering, and if all goes well, Jacqui Gray from the African Raptor Centre will collect the young black sparrowhawk tomorrow to begin its rehabilitation and recovery.

What a relief to know that this precious life has another chance!

This rescue is also a reminder of how important it is to have people who care, who are willing to drop everything and help, and who understand that every life matters.

From the person who made the call, to the friend who joined me, to Dr Otto and the wonderful raptor rehabilitation team — it takes a network of caring people to give an injured wild animal a second chance.

One phone call. One rescue. One precious life worth saving. 🦅💚

Because at the end of the day, every life matters.



We Will Not Be Silenced about Hunters
fans
The Herald
Zululand Observer
Witbank News
South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Prime CREW Wildlife
Huisgenoot
Beeld
Natural History Museum, London

Owl Rescue Centre

🐢🐒 BREAK IT BEFORE YOU BIN IT 🐦🦎A tiny piece of plastic can become a deadly danger to our wildlife.We hardly notice them...
26/10/2026

🐢🐒 BREAK IT BEFORE YOU BIN IT 🐦🦎

A tiny piece of plastic can become a deadly danger to our wildlife.

We hardly notice them.

Those little plastic tags that keep our bread bags closed are removed in seconds and tossed into the rubbish without another thought.

But once they enter our environment, that tiny piece of plastic can become a serious threat to wildlife.

A bread tag lying beside a bin, blowing down a street, washed into a stormwater drain or eventually reaching a river or the ocean may be encountered by an animal searching for food.

🐢 Turtles and other aquatic animals may mistake plastic for food.

🐦 Birds may pick up small pieces of plastic while feeding.

🐒 Vervet monkeys, mongoose and other inquisitive wildlife often investigate discarded food packaging and rubbish.

🦎 Reptiles and other small animals may also accidentally ingest foreign material.

Once swallowed, plastic does not digest like food. Depending on its size and shape, a foreign object may become lodged in the gastrointestinal tract, cause injury or obstruction, interfere with normal feeding and digestion, and in severe cases contribute to starvation or death.

And all of this can begin with something smaller than the palm of your hand.

💔 OUR RUBBISH DOESN’T ALWAYS STAY IN OUR RUBBISH BINS

A bread tag thrown into an open bin can be pulled out by an animal. It can blow away on a windy day. It can be carried by rainwater into drains and waterways.

Eventually, something we threw away for convenience may become somebody else’s death trap.

Wildlife doesn’t understand what plastic is.

We do.

And that means the responsibility belongs to us.

✂️ BREAK IT BEFORE YOU BIN IT

Before disposing of a bread tag, break or cut it into smaller pieces so that its original rigid, catching shape is destroyed, then place the pieces securely into a closed rubbish bin.

Better still, where practical, choose packaging or reusable alternatives that reduce unnecessary plastic waste.

Please also keep bins securely closed and never leave plastic, fishing line, elastic bands, string, food packaging or other small pieces of rubbish where animals can reach them.

It takes only a few seconds.

BREAK IT. BIN IT SECURELY.
DON’T LITTER.
PROTECT OUR WILDLIFE.

Because to us it may be nothing more than a tiny piece of plastic.

To a turtle, bird, monkey or another wild animal…

it could mean the difference between life and death. ❤️

🌿 THE WHITE EYE FOUNDATION
For all wildlife. For a better future.

Rescue • Rehabilitate • Conserve • Protect

You can be the difference.

⚠️ BREAD TAGS — SMALL ENOUGH TO IGNORE, DANGEROUS ENOUGH TO KILL ⚠️Most of us remove the little plastic tag from a loaf ...
26/10/2026

⚠️ BREAD TAGS — SMALL ENOUGH TO IGNORE, DANGEROUS ENOUGH TO KILL ⚠️

Most of us remove the little plastic tag from a loaf of bread without giving it a second thought. We place it on the kitchen counter, drop it into the bin, or perhaps it falls unnoticed onto the floor.

But to a curious dog or cat, this tiny piece of plastic can become a dangerous foreign body.

At Arboretum Veterinary Clinic, this warning is very personal to us.

🐾 We once treated a dog that had swallowed one of these bread tags. Sadly, it became entangled in the intestines, and the dog died.

It was heartbreaking — especially because such a small, everyday object caused such devastating consequences.

WHY CAN BREAD TAGS BE DANGEROUS?

Their hard plastic shape and protruding edges mean that if swallowed, they may not simply pass harmlessly through the digestive system. A foreign object can potentially become lodged or cause intestinal obstruction or injury.

And pets don’t necessarily swallow these objects intentionally. A bread tag may smell or taste of food, become attached to packaging or scraps, or simply be picked up by an inquisitive animal.

PLEASE MAKE THIS A HABIT:

BREAK OR CUT BREAD TAGS BEFORE THROWING THEM AWAY.

Break them into pieces so that the original rigid, catching shape is destroyed, and dispose of them securely in a bin your pets cannot access.

Also remember to keep other small household objects — plastic clips, elastic bands, string, ribbon, bottle tops, corn-cob pieces and similar items — safely away from pets.

🚨 If you know or suspect that your pet has swallowed a foreign object, please contact your veterinarian promptly. Do not wait for obvious signs of illness.

Warning signs can include vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, lethargy, difficulty passing stools or a sudden change in behaviour.

Such a tiny object.

Such a simple precaution.

BREAK IT BEFORE YOU BIN IT.

That few seconds of care may save an animal’s life.

Arboretum Veterinary Clinic
☎️ 035 789 7221

🐾 Please share this message. Someone else may never have considered the danger — and one share could save a pet.

Let that sink in for a short while.So, in very simple words:South African law recognises that our wildlife, plants and e...
25/10/2026

Let that sink in for a short while.

So, in very simple words:

South African law recognises that our wildlife, plants and ecosystems must not simply be used up or destroyed today. They must be conserved and used sustainably so that they remain part of South Africa’s natural heritage for future generations. This includes the protection of vervet monkeys ( Chlorocebus pygerythrus).

South African Government
https://www.gov.za
Law of biodiversity

And importantly, “wildlife” in the biodiversity context includes both wild animals and plants.

🐾 SPIROCERCA LUPI — A HIDDEN DANGER TO YOUR DOGSpirocerca lupi is a parasitic worm that can cause serious and sometimes ...
23/10/2026

🐾 SPIROCERCA LUPI — A HIDDEN DANGER TO YOUR DOG

Spirocerca lupi is a parasitic worm that can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening disease in dogs. Unfortunately, dogs may be infected for quite some time before owners realise that something is wrong.

🪱 HOW DO DOGS BECOME INFECTED?

Dogs usually become infected when they accidentally eat infected dung beetles. They may also become infected by eating animals that have themselves eaten infected beetles, such as certain reptiles, birds or small animals.

Once swallowed, the larvae migrate through the dog’s body before eventually reaching the oesophagus (food pipe), where they can form nodules.

These nodules can become large, interfere with swallowing and, in some cases, undergo cancerous transformation.

⚠️ SIGNS TO WATCH FOR

Symptoms can vary depending on the stage of the disease. Watch carefully for:

🐾 Vomiting or regurgitation
🐾 Difficulty or pain when swallowing
🐾 Coughing or gagging
🐾 Poor appetite
🐾 Weight loss
🐾 Lethargy or weakness
🐾 Excessive salivation
🐾 Persistent unexplained vomiting or regurgitation

Some dogs may show very few obvious symptoms during the early stages.

🩺 HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?

Depending on your dog’s symptoms, your veterinarian may recommend X-rays and other imaging, faecal examination, blood tests or endoscopy to examine the oesophagus directly.

Early diagnosis is important because advanced disease can result in severe complications.

🛡️ CAN SPIROCERCA LUPI BE PREVENTED?

Reducing your dog’s exposure is very important.

✅ Pick up dog faeces regularly — this helps interrupt the parasite’s life cycle.
✅ Keep yards and kennels clean.
✅ Discourage dogs from eating dung beetles and other insects.
✅ Prevent scavenging and eating carcasses or unknown objects.
✅ Discuss an appropriate parasite-prevention programme with your veterinarian. Not every routine dewormer provides suitable protection against every parasite, so please don’t simply assume your normal deworming product covers Spirocerca.

❤️ PREVENT • DETECT • PROTECT

If your dog repeatedly regurgitates, struggles to swallow, loses weight or develops unexplained coughing or gagging, please don’t ignore it.

Early veterinary attention can make an enormous difference.

🐕 Small parasite. Big consequences.

ARBORETUM VETERINARY CLINIC
☎️ 035 789 7221

Healthy pets, happier lives.

Address

44 Essenwood Way
Richards Bay
3900

Opening Hours

Monday 07:00 - 18:00
Tuesday 07:00 - 18:00
Wednesday 07:00 - 18:00
Thursday 07:00 - 18:00
Friday 07:00 - 18:00
Saturday 08:00 - 11:00

Telephone

+27357897221

Website

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