He could not collect a ‘rescuer’s fee’, but he has earned his hero badge!
South Africa (15 July 2026) – Wildlife rescues often begin with someone noticing that something is amiss. In this true story, it was a petrol attendant who found a tiny serval kitten all on its own, after a veld fire had swept through the area.
The fire had stripped the landscape bare, and the little one was completely exposed.
“The youngster had been discovered after a devastating veld fire stripped the surrounding area bare, leaving him completely exposed, with nowhere to hide and no mom or siblings anywhere in sight.” shares the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (SAWRC).
Realising the kitten needed help, the attendant did not think twice about safely scooping up the kitten and taking him to the garage owner, who immediately rang up wildlife rehabber Judy from the SAWRC. She then contacted Anton and Tarien Schoultz, who hopped into their vehicle and made the 80km round trip to collect the little survivor.
When they arrived, the kitten had decided that hiding inside a cardboard box was his best chance of avoiding the weird humans…
“When they arrived, the very proud attendant carefully presented his precious find… (who was delivering an Oscar worthy performance entitled: ‘If I Become One With This Cardboard Box, Perhaps The Humans Will Forget I Exist).’ It was an admirable effort. Unfortunately, those enormous satellite dishes attached to his head (also known as ears) rather ruined the illusion. The jig, as they say, was up.”
The delighted attendant then cheekily asked Anton whether there might perhaps be a ‘rescue fee’ for finding the kitten, the SAWRC adds.
“Anton explained (with a smile,) that paying for rescued wildlife (even as a thank you) would place everyone on the wrong side of wildlife trade legislation. Considering Servals are a Threatened or Protected Species…that’s a slippery slope none of us want to slide down”
With the kitten willingly surrendered and safely on board, he was taken back to the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, where he’s now settling into his temporary home.
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A full tummy…Plenty of places to disappear beneath fluffy bedding…Humans who appear to believe that 2 a.m. bottle feeds are perfectly normal! He’s settling in beautifully.”
He has also gone for a thorough check-up with Dr Garith Newby at Selpark Veterinary Clinic. His rescuers are particularly concerned that the intense heat from the veld fire may have left his eyes dry or irritated, but they’re hopeful he’ll be fighting fit after care.
There’s also another young resident and friend waiting to meet him!
“Even more exciting… in the coming weeks he’ll be introduced to Mufasa, the young Serval who arrived in our care after surviving a poaching incident earlier in June. We’re quietly hoping this might just be the beginning of a lifelong friendship!”
The SAWRC has thanked all the compassionate people who played a part in the rescue. The petrol attendant who stopped to help, the garage owner who immediately picked up the phone, and Anton and Tarien, who dropped everything and hit the road. Heroes, the lot of you.
by 
