A tiny bushbaby named Pebble was found at around just 10 grams, making him the smallest bushbaby patient the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital had ever helped. His story of hope and healing has since gone viral and has been shared across the world!
Johannesburg, South Africa (06 January 2025) — Back in early 2023, a minuscule bushbaby affectionately named Pebble stole hearts across Johannesburg! Good Things Guy shared his tale back then with many animal-loving readers. Now, we’re thrilled to report that Pebble’s story and updates have been picked up by The Dodo, striking virality and the world’s eyes on the team who made his survival possible!
To recap, Pebble weighed about as much as a handful of birthday candles when he found his way to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital. He’d been caught by a cat and ended up out in the open at risk of huge danger. Initially taken in by Zwartkop Animal Clinic, Pebble soon reached JWVH who welcomed him in as the smallest bushbaby patient they’d ever had at the time.
A Mohol or Lesser Bushbaby, Pebble needed a lot of help in picking up size.
Thanks to supplement milk formula, mealworms, and round-the-clock care from the team, especially Lauren Beckley and Ashleigh Pienaar, Pebble’s odds of survival looked promising. Considering how little life had begun, things easily could’ve gone the other way for the tiny bushbaby.
At around two to three weeks old, the team felt confident in Pebble’s growth. He’d started becoming more adventurous too and developing his own personality!
After around three months with Ashleigh, Pebble went into his soft-release phase. Pebble got to adjust and learn important skills about being a bushbaby at this juncture—critical before a proper release.
All these months later, Pebble can be seen positively flourishing. He now has his own crew of bushbabies to hang out with, a family of his own.
His story could’ve easily ended back out in the open when he was only 10 grams, but life and kindness had different plans for Pebble.
Watch: Pebble’s Story Steals Hearts Again
View this post on Instagram
After his story was shared by The Dodo, it received nearly 177 thousand likes and thousands more views. This is incredible for the JWVH in getting more eyes on their work, spotlighting their efforts not just to South Africa but the world.
“Since Pebble, we have raised and successfully released many more of these little primates, and we are thankful that we can give hope to even the smallest creatures,” reflected the JWVH.
The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital are an incredible NPC that serves wildlife animals solely. You can keep up with their rescue efforts and good news stories here.
by 