Wyntir's Story

Wyntir arrived at Care for Wild on 20th June 2014, a fragile two-month-old calf weighing just 107 kg. She had been found near Kingfisherspruit, north of Talamati Bush Camp, after her mother was poached in the Kruger National Park. Vulnerable and alone, Wyntir had also suffered a ferocious attack by hyenas, leaving her ears completely chewed off and placing her at serious risk of infection and hearing loss.

Veterinarian Dr Ferreira du Plessis and the Care for Wild team immediately stepped in. Her wounds were carefully cleaned, treated, and bandaged daily, preventing infection and giving Wyntir the chance to survive. Her strength and will to live became evident as she slowly regained her health under the team’s dedicated care and attention.

During her time in the ICU, Wyntir was introduced to Tana, a slightly older orphan, and the two formed an instant bond. A few months later, Mabush joined them, and the trio became inseparable, providing each other with comfort, companionship, and the social skills necessary for a successful reintroduction into the wild.