Scales Conservation Fund

12/06/2026

🌈 Tomorrow’s the Day! 🎉

Don’t miss out, lock in your spot for tomorrow's Rainbow Rush Challenge
Grab your tickets now 👉 www.scales.org.za/event-details/rainbow-rush-challenge-2026🏃‍♂️🌈

10/06/2026

🌈 A Big Thank You to All Our Amazing Sponsors! 🙌

As we gear up for the Rainbow Rush Challenge 2026 this Saturday, we want to say another huge THANK YOU to every sponsor who has helped make this event possible:

Suzuki Hoedspruit – Our incredible Main Sponsor
Manzi Water (Hoedspruit) – Water Stations (for the 3rd year running!)
Protrack Anti Poaching Training Academy & The Thirsty Giraffe Grillhouse and WineBar – Venue Hosts & Supporters

Your generosity, time, and support allow us to create a fun, and colourful day for families while raising funds for Scales Conservation Fund and Greater Kruger Alley Cat Initiative. We truly couldn’t do it without you!

Come and join us for an afternoon full of colour, obstacles, and laughter!
📅 This Saturday | 13 June 2026
📍 The Thirsty Giraffe, Hoedspruit
👉 Book your tickets here: https://www.scales.org.za/event-details/rainbow-rush-challenge-2026

ManziWaterHoedspruit ScalesConservationFund GreaterKrugerAlleyCatsIniciative RainbowRushChallenge

10/06/2026

🌈 A Big Thank You to All Our Amazing Sponsors! 🙌

As we gear up for the Rainbow Rush Challenge 2026 this Saturday, we want to say another huge THANK YOU to every sponsor who has helped make this event possible:

Suzuki Hoedspruit – Our incredible Main Sponsor
Manzi Water – Water Stations (for the 3rd year running!)
Protrack Anti Poaching Training Academy & The Thirsty Giraffe Grillhouse and WineBar – Venue Hosts & Supporters

Your generosity, time, and support allow us to create a fun, and colourful day for families while raising funds for Scales Conservation Fund and Greater Kruger Alley Cat Initiative. We truly couldn’t do it without you!

Come and join us for an afternoon full of colour, obstacles, and laughter!
📅 This Saturday | 13 June 2026
📍 The Thirsty Giraffe, Hoedspruit
👉 Book your tickets here: https://www.scales.org.za/event-details/rainbow-rush-challenge-2026

09/06/2026

Myths vs Facts: Water Species 🦀

❌Myth: All crabs live in the sea.
✅Fact: The Cape River Crab lives entirely in freshwater!

These fascinating crabs are found in rivers, streams, and wetlands across South Africa. They are important scavengers that help keep our waterways clean by eating dead plants, animals, and organic matter.

🦀Fun fact: Cape River Crabs are excellent climbers, they can scale vertical rocks, tree trunks, and even walls to escape predators or find food!

These often-overlooked freshwater heroes play a vital role in aquatic ecosystems. Next time you’re near a river, keep an eye out for them!

Drop a 🦀 if you didn’t know we had freshwater crabs in South Africa!

05/06/2026

Did You Know❓

The Nile Crocodile is one of Africa’s most powerful and misunderstood water species.

These ancient reptiles can hold their breath underwater for up to 2 hours by dramatically slowing their heart rate. They are also incredibly patient hunters, able to lie almost completely still for hours waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

🐊Fun fact: Nile crocodiles are devoted mothers. After the eggs hatch, the mother gently carries her babies in her mouth down to the water and continues to protect and care for them for several months.

Despite their fearsome reputation, crocodiles play a vital role in their ecosystems as apex predators, helping to keep water systems healthy by controlling fish populations and recycling nutrients.

Drop a 🐊 if you have a newfound respect for these incredible water guardians!

05/06/2026

🌈 Get Your Tickets Early for the Rainbow Rush Challenge!

Don’t wait to join the colour explosion on 13 June at The Thirsty Giraffe Grillhouse and WineBar! Grab your tickets now for quick Check-In: Skip the hassle, pre-buy for a speedy entry on the day: www.scales.org.za./event-details/rainbow-rush-challenge-2026

04/06/2026

What started as tiny, wobbly orphans in need of round-the-clock care has turned into a wonderful release day. Several young Grey Springbok and Duiker have now been gently returned to the fynbos where they belong.

Watching them take their first steps back into the wild, strong, healthy, and full of life, is the ultimate reward for all the hard work that goes into wildlife rehabilitation.

A very important reminder from the Kogelberg team:
If you find a healthy young antelope alone in the veld, please do not pick it up. Mothers often leave their babies hidden for hours while they forage. The best thing you can do is observe from a distance and contact a permitted rehab centre if the baby is truly in danger.

Huge thanks to the dedicated Kogelberg team for giving these little ones the very best second chance. Your patience, expertise, and love truly make a difference.
Watch the full heart-warming release video below 👇
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jqpcaDK6D4

Drop a 🦌 if this release makes you smile!

Behind the scenes at the Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue and Tr...

01/06/2026

It's a new brand new month and that means a new wildlife theme!

June 2026, we’re turning our focus to Water Species – the fascinating mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish that depend on our rivers, wetlands, estuaries, and oceans.

From powerful hippos and playful otters to terrapins, frogs, and many fish species, these animals are the heartbeat of healthy aquatic ecosystems. They help cycle nutrients, control insect populations, maintain water quality, and support entire food webs.

Yet freshwater and marine species are under increasing pressure from pollution, habitat loss, water extraction, and climate change. This month we want to celebrate them, highlight their importance, and show what we can all do to protect the water systems they (and we) rely on.

Which water-dwelling animal would you most like to learn about this month? Tell us in the comments!

31/05/2026

🌈 LAST CHANCE – Early Bird Tickets End Tuesday! ⏰

This is your final opportunity to grab discounted tickets for the Rainbow Rush Challenge 2026 before standard prices kick in!

Don’t miss out on the savings — Early Bird pricing closes Tuesday 2nd June.

Event Details:
📅 Saturday 13 June 2026
📍The Thirsty Giraffe Grillhouse and WineBar, Hoedspruit
What’s Included: An unforgettable colour adventure, Crazy-fun Warm up, colourful chaos, obstacle course, finisher’s medal and post-race festivities.
Three action-packed courses for the whole family:
🌈14:00 – Mini Rainbow Rush (Suitable for ages 3-7 years) Optional 1km + 9 fun kiddie obstacles
🌈14:30 – Jumbo Rainbow Rush (Suitable for ages 8-12 Years) 3km + 12 action-packed obstacles
🌈15:00 – Mega Rainbow Rush (Suitable for ages 13 to adult) Optional 3km or 5km + 19 thrilling obstacles

🎟 Book now before Early Bird ends on Tuesday!
👉 Get your tickets here: https://www.scales.org.za/event-details/rainbow-rush-challenge-2026

Tag your squad and secure your spot! 💦🌈

31/05/2026

Happy World Parrot Day! 🦜

Today, we are honouring these intelligent, colourful, and incredibly social birds that bring so much life and personality to our world. In South Africa, we have a very special parrot that deserves extra love and attention: the Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus).

This striking green parrot with its orange-red shoulders is Endangered and is one of the rarest parrots in Africa. It is found only in the mistbelt forests of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo. Unlike many other parrots, Cape Parrots rely heavily on native yellowwood trees for both food and nesting sites.

Fun fact: Cape Parrots are highly social and extremely intelligent. They can live for over 30 years in the wild and form strong lifelong pair bonds. They’re also known for their loud, cheerful calls that carry through the forest canopy.

Sadly, habitat loss, illegal trapping for the pet trade, and disease have caused their numbers to decline dramatically. Every remaining Cape Parrot is precious. On this World Parrot Day, let’s commit to protecting these beautiful birds and the forests they call home.

Drop a 🦜 if you love Cape Parrots, or tag a friend who should know about them!