Not all joyriders have a driver’s licence or legs long enough to reach the pedals!
Johannesburg, South Africa (13 April 2026) – Joburg’s rock hyraxes have apparently developed a taste for adventure…and a fondness for free rides.
Late last week, the doors at the Sandton SPCA in Benmore Gardens swung open when a Johannesburg resident arrived with a rather unusual hitchhiker in tow.
“A concerned member of the public arrived at the Sandton SPCA with an unusual situation, a dassie had somehow gotten stuck inside the front section of his vehicle!” the SPCA shared.
Inspector Warren and Field Officer John quickly stepped in to help, but the rescue proved to be quite the challenge. With the car sitting low to the ground and the dassie refusing to budge, outside assistance had to be called in.
“To ensure a safe rescue, the vehicle was taken to Dunlop in Marlboro where it could be lifted. Once the car was elevated, the inspectors were finally able to carefully access and rescue the dassie. The dassie was then safely transported to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital for assessment and care,” the SPCA added.
The organisation thanked the member of the public for acting so quickly, as well as its team for ensuring the little wildling made it out safely.
But that’s not where the story ends.
A day before the rescue, a resident living near a main road in Northcliff had posted about a dassie that hitched a ride in her husband’s car, all the way to the hairdresser and back.
“It actually got into my husband’s car and went for a ride with him to the hairdresser and came back home. Suspect it’s in the car somewhere.”
Before any rescuers could reach them, the dassie – affectionately named Harry – had hopped into yet another vehicle in the complex, this one headed for Fourways.
We’re not dassie detectives, so we can’t say for certain, but it’s entirely possible this is the same little guy that eventually ended up at the SPCA. If so, Harry had quite the whirlwind tour of Jozi. At least he’s now safely in the care of the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital.
If you ever spot a dassie in your bakkie (or anywhere it doesn’t belong) contact a certified rescuer. These are wild animals and they can’t be kept as pets or simply be dropped off at a nearby colony, as they’re likely to be attacked.
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