Saving The Survivors

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Saving The Survivors Saving the Survivors aim is to treat and care for Rhino, Elephant, Lion and other endangered wildlife

A registered charity in South Africa, Namibia, The UK and The USA. Saving the Survivors was founded by Dr. Johan Marais in 2012 to treat and care for Rhino that had fallen victim to poaching or traumatic incidents. This included Rhino that have been wounded, Rhino where the horn has been hacked off, as well as victims of snaring and other trauma. Whilst we are best known for our emergency work wit

h Rhino, we also treat any other endangered species in need. The Saving the Survivors team regularly works with Lion, Leopard, African Wild Dog, Sable and Roan antelope and Elephant, to name but a few. In addition to this, we manage and deliver many proactive initiatives such as community and breeding programs, also human wildlife conflict mitigation and wildlife translocation. Most of these animals are being treated in the bush in their natural environment, as transporting them is not always possible, and it is often extremely stressful. We work throughout Southern Africa, but we also offer assistance to endangered species worldwide. If you would like to make a donation to the project, please click the donate button or visit - https://www.savingthesurvivors.org/ Here you will find all methods of donating including Card payments, PayPal and bank transfers.

19/08/2026

🦏❤️ Do these guys have the best job in the world?

This is Wafula, one of the incredible carers looking after the rhino orphans at , sharing a very special moment with Nyota during her milk feed. 🍼🦏

For Nyota, this is about so much more than milk. It’s trust, comfort, security and companionship. The bond between these orphaned rhinos and the people who care for them every day is something truly special.

Nyota is incredibly lucky to have Wafula — and judging by this video, we think Wafula feels pretty lucky too. 🥰

Every bottle, every feed and every hour of care helps give these precious animals the chance of a future back in the wild.
But we can only do it with your help.

❤️ Saving the Survivors is 100% funded by donations. Your support directly helps us care for, protect and save wildlife like Nyota.

If this little moment made you smile, please consider donating via the link in our bio. 🙏

19/08/2026

🦏❤️ Do these guys have the best job in the world?

Meet Wafula, one of the wonderful carers helping to look after the rhino orphans at Solio Rhino Orphanage, sharing a very special moment with Nyota during her milk feed.

For an orphaned rhino, these moments are about far more than just a bottle of milk. They are about trust, comfort, security and companionship. The bond between the carers and the rhinos they look after is incredibly special, and Nyota is very lucky to have people like Wafula there for her every single day.
And, judging by this video, we think Wafula might feel pretty lucky too! 🥰🦏

Behind every bottle, every feed and every hour of care is a team dedicated to giving these animals the best possible chance of a future back in the wild.

Saving the Survivors is 100% funded by donations.

Everything we are able to do for animals like Nyota is made possible by people like you.

If this little moment makes you smile, please consider helping us continue this work by making a donation. ❤️

🌍 Donate: https://www.savingthesurvivors.org/donate/

Thank you for helping us care for, protect and save wildlife.

🐘 WORLD ELEPHANT DAY 🐘Today, on World Elephant Day, we celebrate one of the most extraordinary animals to walk our plane...
12/08/2026

🐘 WORLD ELEPHANT DAY 🐘

Today, on World Elephant Day, we celebrate one of the most extraordinary animals to walk our planet — the Elephant.

For Saving the Survivors, elephants have always held a very special place in our work.

With Dr. Johan Marais heading up our Veterinarians in the field, our teams have worked with countless elephants over the years. We have treated animals that have fallen victim to poaching, snares and horrific traumatic injuries, doing everything possible to give them a second chance at life.
But protecting elephants is about far more than responding when tragedy strikes.

Our teams are also involved in vital proactive conservation work — helping to manage human-elephant conflict, carrying out collaring operations, monitoring movements and working alongside conservation partners to protect elephants, their herds and the landscapes they depend upon.

The past year has also brought great sadness. We lost Craig, one of Africa's magnificent Super Tuskers and a very special friend of Saving the Survivors. His loss was felt deeply by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him, working around him or simply being inspired by his presence.

The photographs accompanying this post tell just a small part of our story with elephants — from veterinary interventions in the field to some incredible moments captured through the lens of Dr. Johan himself.

Elephants are powerful, intelligent, deeply social and remarkably gentle animals. Yet across Africa they continue to face enormous challenges.

Saving the Survivors is 100% funded by donations. Every veterinary intervention, every collaring operation and every journey into the field is only possible because people like you choose to support our work.

Your support genuinely makes this possible.

If you would like to help us continue protecting and caring for elephants and other threatened wildlife, you can donate directly through this post, or visit our website:

👉 www.savingthesurvivors.org/donate/

With the support of our followers, donors and friends around the world, we will continue to fight for them, protect them and care for them.

For the injured.�For the threatened.�For the herds of today and the generations still to come.

Today, we celebrate the largest land mammal walking our planet — our gentle giants, the elephants. 🐘❤️

Happy World Elephant Day.

23/07/2026

✨ A small animal. A huge conservation success. ✨

Every time we release a pangolin back into the wild, we hope it will survive and thrive. Recently, our team relocated one of our previously released pangolins fitted with a Rouxcel tracking tag—and the results couldn’t have been better.

Not only was the pangolin healthy and maintaining an excellent body weight, but we were also able to recharge its tracking tag without removing it. This incredible technology allows us to continue monitoring its movements while minimising handling and stress for one of the world’s most vulnerable mammals.

Every successful follow-up like this gives us valuable insight into the long-term success of our rehabilitation and release programmes and brings us one step closer to securing a future for this extraordinary species.

🎥 Watch the full video in this post to see the field team in action.

📖 Visit our website to read the full story and learn more about how innovative technology is helping save pangolins.

❤️ Saving The Survivors is 100% funded by donations. Every rescue, veterinary intervention and field mission is only possible because of the generosity of people like you. If you’d like to help us continue protecting Africa’s wildlife, please consider making a donation or becoming a monthly supporter.

23/07/2026

Every successful wildlife release is only the beginning of the story. 💚

Recently, our team relocated a previously released pangolin fitted with a Rouxcel tracking tag. Thanks to this remarkable technology, we were able to recharge the tag's battery while it remained attached to the animal, dramatically reducing the need for handling and minimising stress on this incredibly sensitive species.

During the health check, we also weighed the pangolin and were delighted to confirm that it is maintaining a healthy weight and thriving in the wild. Monitoring both body condition and movement patterns gives us invaluable insight into the long-term success of our rehabilitation and release programmes.

This is conservation at its best – combining cutting-edge technology with dedicated fieldwork to give one of Africa's most threatened mammals the greatest possible chance of survival.

❤️ Saving The Survivors is 100% funded by donations. Every rescue, every veterinary intervention, every tracking mission and every successful release is only possible because of the generosity of people like you. If you'd like to help us continue protecting wildlife, please consider making a donation or becoming a monthly supporter.

www.savingthesurvivors.org/donate

Together, we can ensure more stories like this have a happy ending.

07/07/2026

🦏 A journey that will shape the future of a population.

STS, together with the , has successfully translocated several White rhino cows to a reserve where no new genetics had been introduced for more than 20 years.
This wasn’t simply about moving rhinos—it was about strengthening the future of an entire population.

By introducing new bloodlines, we’re helping to improve genetic diversity, increase resilience to disease, reduce the risk of inbreeding, and give these magnificent animals the best possible chance of thriving for generations to come.

Every rhino moved represents hope for the future.

💚 But conservation like this comes at a cost.

STS is 100% funded by donations. We receive no government funding, meaning every rescue, every veterinary intervention, every translocation, and every conservation project is only possible because of people like you.

If you’d like to help us continue protecting endangered wildlife, please consider making a donation or, even better, becoming a monthly supporter through the link in our bio. Regular support allows us to respond quickly when wildlife needs us most.

Together, we can secure a future for rhinos and countless other endangered species.


07/07/2026

🦏 Every Rhino Has a Future... But Only Because People Like You Make It Possible.

This incredible conservation success was only possible because of the generosity of our supporters.

Saving the Survivors, in partnership with the Veterinary Conservation Coalition has successfully completed the translocation of several White rhino cows to a reserve where no new genetics had been introduced for more than 20 years.

This wasn't simply about moving rhinos—it was about securing the future of an entire population.

By introducing new bloodlines, we are improving genetic diversity, reducing the risks of inbreeding, strengthening resilience to disease, and helping ensure these rhinos can thrive for generations to come. It is a vital conservation intervention that will have a lasting impact on one of South Africa's precious White rhino populations.

But work like this doesn't happen on its own.

Every helicopter flight, veterinary procedure, transport vehicle, monitoring collar, and dedicated conservation professional involved in this operation was made possible through the kindness of people who believe these animals are worth saving.

Saving the Survivors receives no government funding. We are 100% funded by donations.

Every rescue we undertake, every injured animal we treat, every orphan we care for, and every conservation project we deliver depends entirely on the generosity of supporters around the world.

If you believe endangered wildlife deserves a future, please consider making a donation today. Better still, become a monthly supporter. Regular giving allows us to plan ahead, respond to emergencies, and continue carrying out life-saving work wherever wildlife needs us.

Together, we can ensure that projects like this continue—not just for White rhinos, but for elephants, cheetahs, lions, pangolins, and so many other species that depend on our help.

💚 Please make a donation or become a monthly supporter via our website. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a genuine difference.

www.savingthesurvivors.org

Thank you for standing with wildlife. Limpopo Rhino Conservation

A Snare Doesn't Choose Its Victim...This magnificent White rhino cow was never the intended target.The wire snare that a...
26/06/2026

A Snare Doesn't Choose Its Victim...

This magnificent White rhino cow was never the intended target.

The wire snare that almost cost her a leg was most likely set to catch smaller animals for the bushmeat trade. But snares are indiscriminate killers. They don't distinguish between an antelope, a lion, an elephant... or a two-ton rhino simply walking through her home.

By the time we found her, the snare had cut deeply into her left hind leg, causing devastating soft tissue damage, severe pain, and making every step a struggle.

After safely immobilising her, our veterinary team carefully removed the wire that had been slowly tightening around her leg. The wound was then meticulously cleaned and debrided to remove damaged tissue before being treated with antibiotics, pain relief, and anti-inflammatory medication to give her the very best chance of healing.

Every intervention like this is a race against time. Left untreated, these injuries often become infected, leading to prolonged suffering and, in many cases, death.

To help ensure her recovery continues, we also fitted her with one of our AI-powered Rouxcel collars. This remarkable technology allows us to remotely monitor her movements over the coming weeks, giving us invaluable insight into her progress and alerting us if she shows signs that she may need further veterinary attention.

This is conservation in action.

Not just saving a life today, but giving that life the best possible chance of thriving tomorrow.

Sadly, this rhino is far from alone. Every year we treat rhinos, elephants, lions and countless other wild animals that become innocent victims of snares set for entirely different species. It is a silent crisis playing out across Africa's wilderness.

Every rescue, every helicopter flight, every dart, every bandage, every life-saving treatment is possible because people like you choose to stand with wildlife.

Saving the Survivors receives no government funding. Everything we do is made possible through the generosity of our supporters.

If you would like to help ensure that our veterinary team is always ready to answer the next emergency call, please consider making a donation today.

www.savingthesurvivors.org/donate

❤️ Together, we can give wildlife a second chance.

🦏✨ A few weeks ago, we shared the story of a White Rhino mother treated for a serious wound to her hindquarters, likely ...
24/06/2026

🦏✨ A few weeks ago, we shared the story of a White Rhino mother treated for a serious wound to her hindquarters, likely inflicted by the horn of an overenthusiastic bull.

At the time, the injury was extensive and vulnerable to infection in the harsh conditions of the African bush. After thoroughly cleaning the wound, our veterinary team applied one of our tried-and-tested natural wound dressings — medical-grade honey covered with a specially prepared leather patch secured in place.

Today, we are delighted to share an update.

The photographs show the remarkable progress of her recovery. The wound has contracted significantly, healthy new tissue has formed, and the healing process is well underway. The leather dressing protected the wound from contamination, insects, and further trauma while maintaining ideal moisture conditions for healing. Meanwhile, the natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties of the honey helped create the perfect environment for recovery.

This approach may appear unusual, but nature often provides the best solutions. The leather is incredibly durable, standing up to the challenges of life in the wild, while both materials are completely natural, ensuring we are not introducing unnecessary artificial products into the environment.

Most importantly, this rhino mother has remained with her calf throughout the recovery period. The youngster, who bravely tried to defend its mother during treatment, continues to stay close by her side as she heals.

These images are a powerful reminder that innovative conservation medicine does not always rely on complex technology. Sometimes, the combination of veterinary expertise, natural materials, and a resilient patient can achieve extraordinary results.

Thank you to everyone whose support makes interventions like this possible. Every treatment, every follow-up assessment, and every animal we help is only possible because of your generosity.

💚 Together, we are giving wildlife a second chance.

🌍 www.savingthesurvivors.org

Big Ben’s Remarkable Recovery 🦏When you weigh over two tonnes, even a disagreement can leave a lasting mark.Big Ben, a d...
17/06/2026

Big Ben’s Remarkable Recovery 🦏

When you weigh over two tonnes, even a disagreement can leave a lasting mark.

Big Ben, a dominant bull rhino, recently sustained a serious facial wound during a territorial fight with another male. The injury was deep, contaminated and located in an area subjected to enormous forces every day as he feeds, rubs against trees, wallows and defends his territory.

The first images show the extent of the wound before treatment. To many people, what came next may seem unusual.

Dr Johan Marais and the Saving the Survivors veterinary team cleaned and prepared the wound before applying medical-grade Manuka honey and covering it with a specially shaped leather patch, secured in place with screws.

Why screws?

A wound dressing on a rhino's face faces challenges unlike almost any other patient. Traditional bandages simply cannot withstand the constant movement, rubbing and pressure generated by a two-tonne animal. The screws provide the only reliable way to keep the dressing exactly where it needs to be while healing takes place beneath.

Why honey and leather?

🍯 Manuka honey is a powerful natural antiseptic that helps prevent infection while promoting healthy tissue growth.

🟤 Leather is incredibly durable, yet its natural properties help maintain the ideal moisture balance for wound healing. It protects the wound while allowing the healing process to continue underneath.

As the wound heals, the screws naturally loosen and eventually fall out on their own. The final photograph shows the result — healthy tissue, excellent healing, and a recovered Big Ben back where he belongs.

Sometimes wildlife medicine looks very different from what we are used to seeing, but every treatment is carefully designed around the unique biology and behaviour of the patient.

For Big Ben, this unconventional combination of honey, leather and screws proved exactly what was needed.

Another rhino treated. Another life protected. All because of you and your support.

To ensure we are always there when wildlife needs us, please donate if you can, via the link or the button in the post - www.savingthesurvivors.org/donate

🦏❤️

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STS UK Suite 12, 1 Silk House

SK117QJ

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