Friends Of Wildlife Management

Home
South Africa
Mbombela
Friends Of Wildlife Management

FOWM is a non-profit organisation dedicated to assist and support wildlife conservation in general bu

Friends Of Wildlife Management / FOWM is a non-profit organisation dedicated to assist and support wildlife conservation in general but with specific focus on Mpumalanga and assistance of the Wildlife Management Department of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency.

21/08/2026

!!!BIG MOVE FOR A BIG GUY!!!

Ever tried convincing a two-ton hippo to relocate? That was the mission this week when Friends of Wildlife teamed up with WildlifeVets and the MTPA for a hippo capture operation — straight out of a dam on a local farm!
Darting, precision timing, and a whole lot of teamwork later... mission accomplished. One very large, very unimpressed hippo safely captured and relocated, no drama (well, maybe a little water splashing everywhere 💦).
Huge thanks to the incredible team who made it happen — this is what wildlife conservation in action looks like! 🙌

05/08/2026

🌿 A True Conservation Success Story 🦌💚

In July 2024, a week-old female bushbuck was found alone on a tar road after a devastating fire swept through the surrounding area. Orphaned and vulnerable, she was rescued and taken to Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, where she was lovingly hand-reared by the conservation team.

Once she was fully weaned, she was moved into a soft-release enclosure, giving her time to adjust to her natural surroundings before being released back into the wild. After 30 days, she was successfully released, just in time to benefit from the remaining summer browse.

During 2025, she was occasionally spotted near the release site, often in the company of a male bushbuck—a promising sign that she had settled well into her new life.

Then, at the beginning of June 2026, came the news everyone had hoped for... ❤️

A conservation student spotted her with a healthy lamb at her side.

From an orphaned fawn rescued after a devastating fire to a wild mother raising the next generation, her journey is a powerful reminder that every rescue matters and that dedicated conservation efforts truly make a difference.

💚 Every life saved has the potential to shape the future of our wildlife.

01/08/2026

Today we celebrate World Ranger Day and honour the incredible men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our wildlife, wild places, and natural heritage.

Every day, rangers face long hours, difficult conditions, and real dangers to safeguard the animals and landscapes we all cherish.

To every ranger: thank you for your courage, commitment, and unwavering dedication to conservation. Your work truly makes a difference.

Happy World Ranger Day! 🌍💚

friends_of_wildlife

27/07/2026

Two male lions were reported on a sugar cane farm along the Managa road yesterday. Both were successfully captured by the MTPA Wildlife Management team together with the Wildlifevets.com Wildlifevets team and our support.

The lions are now safe and undergoing health checks. Once they have been declared fit, they will be released back into the wild.

A huge thank you to everyone involved for ensuring a safe outcome for both the lions and the surrounding communities. 🦁

#

30/06/2026

Great news!

The two lions that were captured over the past few weeks have now been successfully released back into the wild. Both lions were fitted with tracking collars before their release, allowing the team to continue monitoring their movements and ensuring their wellbeing.

A huge thank you to Wildlifevets.com Wildlifevets and African Wildlife Vets Saphire Blue - Drone Training for their incredible support, professionalism, and dedication throughout this operation. Your expertise and commitment to conservation make moments like this possible.

And also a big thank you to ContemplateWild for the generous donation of the tracking collars. Your support plays a vital role in helping us protect and monitor these magnificent animals.

Welcome back to the wild, boys! 🌿

17/06/2026

World Crocodile Day

Today we celebrate these incredible ancient reptiles that have roamed our planet for over 200 million years.

Crocodiles are vital for healthy ecosystems and deserve our respect and protection.

💚 Protect wildlife. Protect their habitats.

09/06/2026

**Mission Accomplished!**

After several attempts, the MTPA Wildlife Management team has successfully captured the 2 escaped lions that had crossed the N4 at the croc gorge.

The operation was far from easy. Dense thicket bush and challenging terrain made tracking and darting the lions extremely difficult. However, through determination, teamwork, and the use of advanced drone technology, the team was finally able to bring the operation to a successful conclusion.

A huge thank you to the incredible teams involved:
MTPA Wildlife Management

southafricacom_sa

Their expertise, dedication, and collaboration ensured a safe outcome for both the lions and the surrounding communities.

The lions are now in a predator holding facility and are awaiting their release after their health check.
Stay tuned for an update on these beautiful creatures release.

Conservation is often challenging, but moments like these show what can be achieved when skilled professionals work together for wildlife.

09/05/2026

🐊 Future crocodile wranglers in training!
This week, we teamed up with .com_sa and the MTPA to help train the next generation of wildlife vets in the exciting world of Nile crocodile captures and handling.
Lots of teamwork, learning, adrenaline, and probably a few moments of “whose idea was this again?” 😅

A big thank you to everyone involved — conservation is always better when passionate people work together!

12/04/2026

A powerful reminder of nature’s raw reality. 🐊

These incredible images capture a crocodile doing what it has done for millions of years — surviving as one of Africa’s top predators. While it may be difficult to witness, every species plays an important role in maintaining balance in the wild.

At Friends of Wildlife, we are reminded daily that conservation is not only about the beautiful moments, but also about respecting the natural processes that keep ecosystems healthy and functioning.

Nature is real. Nature is wild. Nature must be protected. 💚

# FOWM

01/04/2026

One night. Six crocodiles.

What started as a single call turned into a full operation.

Under darkness, the Wildlife Management team safely captured 6 crocodiles in one night — removing them from high-risk areas a
nd protecting both people and wildlife.

Tough work. No shortcuts. Just commitment. 🐊

Address

Mbombela
1200

Website

http://www.friendsofwildlife.co.za/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Friends Of Wildlife Management posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Friends Of Wildlife Management:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Mbombela?