Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue Centre

06/09/2026

Due to the high winds in the Western Cape, we have received many calls about young birds being blown from the nest. Because of the vast area we cover, responding to so many incidents becomes a logistical nightmare. Not to mention that the cost of petrol can be crippling. If you find a nestling, like this juvenile Black Sparrow Hawk alone on the ground, please call us for advice first. It might not need to come to the center at all. We will try to mitigate whenever we can. To support our work, or maybe just sponsor a tank of petrol, please consider donating via our website: www.kogelbergbiosphere.org.za

04/09/2026

🌬️ THIS WIND HAS ONE ANSWER..HOT CHOCOLATE! ☕🍫

🦔💚 And what if your cup of hot chocolate could help a wild animal too? 🦉🦔🌿

Choose the Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue Hot Chocolate from Rescue Roast and enjoy a cosy, chocolatey treat while supporting wildlife rescue.

👉 Shop here:
https://www.rescueroast.co.za/collections/kogelberg-biosphere
And make sure you pick the Honey Badger! 🦡

💚 Tip: Get your friends, family or neighbours to order with you and share the delivery fee — more cups, more warmth, more support for wildlife!
OR
Order purchase at Menucha Coffee Shop or Minimart Pringle Bay

Because sometimes doing something good starts with putting the kettle on. ☕

04/09/2026

Euthanasia is never an easy choice but it is always a choice made in the best interest of the animal. Returning a sick dolphin back to the sea, alone ,and likely to strand again, is not the correct procedure. Please always consult with experts before putting marine life back in the ocean.

RISSO'S DOLPHIN HUMANELY EUTHANISED

Shortly before sunset yesterday the Greater Overberg Stranding Network received a call from some members of the public who had come across a live Risso's dolphin lying on the beach between Hermanus and De Kelders.

The animal's condition and situation was assessed by experts and the difficult decision made to humanely euthanise it.

🙏🏼 Strandings always involve teamwork, so many thanks to Cassim Amod, Adlie Salie and Ebrahiem Moosa who initially reported and took care of the stranded animal; and much gratitude is extended to Lourens Theron, Wilfred Chivell and Ash Appelby for working well after dark in difficult conditions to ensure that the dolphin's suffering was relieved as soon as possible.

Successfully refloating a dolphin or whale, especially a single animal (that usually occurs in close-knit groups), and more so one that lives far offshore, is often an impossible and very dangerous task, especially in the dark. Animals in these conditions restrand numerous times, enduring tremendous suffering. Singular animals are usually sick or injured and, while it is a hard decision to make, euthanasia is the humane option.

🙏🏼 Earlier today biologists from the Dyer Island Conservation Trust visited the carcass in order to collect photographs, measurements and samples which will go towards bettering our knowledge about this beautiful species.

The South African National Stranding Network falls under the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and is made up of many smaller networks all along the coastline, consisting of numerous organisations and hundreds of members (volunteers, conservationists, researchers etc.) who respond to strandings wherever possible.

Meredith Thornton (National Stranding Coordinator)
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
UP Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit
Dyer Island Conservation Trust
Southern Right Charters
Overstrand Municipality
CapeNature
South African Police Service

02/09/2026

Happy Spring day everyone

29/08/2026

Interesting video. Do animals know we are trying to help them? Watch to the end.

28/08/2026

🦉 IT’S OWLET SEASON! , TIME FOR OWLS TO LEARN HOW TO BE OWLS.

This time of year it is normal to see young Spotted Eagle-Owls and Barn Owls sitting on the ground, in bushes or under trees.

In the Western Cape, Barn Owls breed mainly from August to December, while Spotted Eagle-Owls breed during the winter/spring months. Their young often leave the nest before they are fully capable of flying and spend time on the ground or in low branches while they develop their flying and hunting skills. Their parents are usually nearby, feeding and watching them.

This is also the time we receive so many calls at the Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue Centre:

"There’s a baby owl on the ground!"
"It can’t fly!"
"The dogs might get it!"

And yes — sometimes it does need help.

But a healthy fledgling does not automatically need to be taken to a rehabilitation centre.

If it is in danger from traffic, dogs or people, the answer is usually to mitigate the danger, not relocate the owl.

Here's what you do:

Move it only a short distance to a safe nearby perch, bush or tree where its parents can still find it. Don't take it home. Don't feed it. Don't separate it from its parents.

At the Rescue Centre, our goal isn't to rescue every animal we see. Our goal is to achieve the best outcome for the animal — and sometimes that means leaving it exactly where nature intended it to be.

Of course, if the owl is injured, has been caught by a cat or dog, is bleeding, weak or clearly in distress, please contact us or a wildlife rehabilitator immediately.

So this breeding season, if you see a fluffy little owl looking rather lost on the ground, remember:
It may not be lost at all. It may simply be learning to be an owl!

28/08/2026

Today, we’re not coming to you with clever marketing words.
We’re simply asking for your help.
It’s month-end and we know that the people on this page care deeply about animals.
So please — buy one bag. Buy two. Buy ten. Get together with family and friends and pay one delivery fee only. Choose coffee or hot chocolate.
from every qualifying purchase
your cupboard gets restocked and we receive much-needed support.
And your everyday cup becomes part of something bigger.
Order here;
https://www.rescueroast.co.za/collections/kogelberg-biosphere
Thank you

25/08/2026

Look at the difference in size after just one week: This adorable fluff ball is a Spotted Eagle Owlet. The rate of growth in birds exceeds many other species and in just one week, this baba has moved from being hand-fed, to self feeding outside with others of his own kind. To provide a meal for this owlet and our other patients, please consider making a small monthly donation via our website: kogelbergbiosphere.org.za

22/08/2026

This gorgeous amphibian, a Western Leopard Toad, was found with a badly broken leg near Standford, where researchers were doing a head count. Sheraine Van Wyk from Whale Coast Conservation Fund, quickly got the tubby toad to the Eastcliff Vet in Hermanus, where Dr Ester did a full examination and x-rays. This very special patient is being contained to prevent much movement in the hope that the leg will heal. For now though, the prognosis is guarded and everyone is sending him positive healing thoughts. The Western Leopard Toad is currently listed as Endangered, the main reasons are its very restricted distribution, habitat loss and fragmentation, and continuing decline in habitat quality. They are also extraordinarily vulnerable during their breeding migration because adults may have to cross roads to reach their breeding ponds. One of their fascinating characteristics is their explosive breeding behaviour. During the winter breeding period, large numbers of adults may suddenly converge on breeding ponds.
Their diet is varied as they are opportunistic feeders and will take whatever appropriately sized invertebrate prey is available. This makes them rather valuable residents in gardens because they consume considerable numbers of insects and other invertebrates. They're more than just a cute endangered frog. They are an important part of the food web:

21/08/2026

At Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue we believe in the 3 ‘R’s’ ‘Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release’
It’s tough work and often emotionally draining.
In between rescues, our Volunteers also need their own 3 ‘’R’s’ ‘Recovery Relaxation and Rescue Roast!’
Take it from us, the coffee is absolutely delicious - and starts with the aroma - even before you open that special bag - really something special. ☕️👏💚

Please help us by making your order - you have a choice of beans, filter or plunger coffee (remember and click for your preference)- or you may prefer the decadent hot chocolate.
Whichever one you choose be confident that you are giving back by providing a donation to help us care for our recent intake of animals.

Order from Rescue Roast directly on

https://www.rescueroast.co.za/collections/kogelberg-biosphere

or from Pringle Bay stockists
Minimart and Menucha Coffee Shop

Ps Please speak to your local retailer to stock for you (using the above link) if located outside Pringle Bay 🏪

Thank you! 🙏