An alert member of the public noticed a Porcupine acting strangely and notified the Tshwane SPCA; they found it terribly injured and rushed it to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital.
Tshwane, South Africa (25 May 2021) – The Tshwane SPCA investigated a call from a concerned citizen related to an injured porcupine, and when they found the poor creature, they saw it was badly injured due to a poaching snare. The team rushed the porcupine to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, which specialises in caring for South Africa’s indigenous wildlife.
The wildlife vet assessed the porcupine and started treatment to remove the snare, tend the wounds and assess the damage done to the deeper tissue.
“We sedated him for a thorough physical examination and we found a very thin snare around his neck. The wire had cut deeply into his neck near his jugular veins and we suspect that it had been there for a long time. The snare was removed and his wounds cleaned. He was treated with pain medication and long-acting antibiotics.
The wound on the right hand side initially needed a stent bandage – a sterile absorbent dressing that is useful for discharging wounds and ones that need extra protection. Thereafter, it was sutured (as was the left wound) and drains were temporarily placed to ensure the wound sites didn’t have unnecessary fluid build-up.”
Thankfully, under their care, the porcupine made a full recovery and was signed off for a soft-release before heading back into the wilds of Gauteng.
“He has made a full recovery and will be released to into a safe, natural environment.
Had the snare been present any longer, and had cut deeper into his neck, this porcupine wouldn’t have been so lucky! We are so thankful to the member of the public that alerted the Tshwane SPCA as well as to the Tshwane SPCA for acting quickly and getting this porcupine to us for assistance!” – Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital.
The work being done by the wildlife vet is incredible. If you would like to support them, you can use the details below or visit their website here. The organisation treat indigenous animals free of charge, relying solely on the donations and support of the community.
Johannesburg Wildlife NPC
FNB Cheque account
Account nr: 62658400264
Branch code: 255355
Swift code: FIRNZAJJ
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