Thirteen-year-old Morena Phenethi has shown a level of care that would make any wildlife lover so proud. When he found the tiniest hatchling, he went above and beyond to save it.
Brakpan, South Africa (17 September 2026) – Morena Phenethi came across a tiny hatchling in need of help, and he immediately went into rescue mode.
After researching online, Morena – who is only 13-years-old – first tried to return the baby bird to its nest. When that didn’t work, he found a suitable box, kept the hatchling warm and started looking for a wildlife rehabilitator who could assist.
He found the contact details of a wildlife rehabilitator that Google said could help and picked up the phone. There was just one tiny problem. Morena was in Joburg, and they were all the way in Cape Town.
“Fortunately, once we were made aware via our CORE – Coalition Of Rehabilitation Expertise group that Morena needed urgent help locally, things moved very quickly,” shares South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center on Facebook.
Morena waited outside on the pavement, ready to hand over his tiny rescue. An Uber arrived to collect the little bird within minutes. Not long after, the hatchling was safely with wildlife rehabilitator Lauren Macleod. And that’s how happy endings are made.
Morena had already done so much for the little hatchling before any wildlife experts stepped in. He researched as best he could, tried to reunite the hatchling with its nest, kept it safe and warm, and made sure it reached the right hands.
The South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center has since praised the youngster for the care and effort he put into helping such a tiny life.
“Morena, we have no idea what you dream of becoming one day… (perhaps you already know)… But we know one thing without the slightest doubt:
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You are destined for greatness… and this greatness isn’t always found in trophies, awards or big achievements..
Sometimes, greatness is a 13 year old stopping to help something so tiny that most people might have walked straight past it.
Greatness is simply caring enough to try.
The amount of care, time and effort you put into saving this tiny life brought us all to tears!
This tiny hatchling may never understand what you did…
But we do!Morena, may you carry that enormous heart with you throughout your life!
May you always notice the small things that others overlook…
May you always have the courage to help when something needs you… and may you never lose the extraordinary kindness that made you stop for a tiny, seemingly insignificant life.
Our admiration and respect for you overflows and we bow low to you in thanks!
Sometimes the smallest lives bring out the biggest hearts, and with this, one very small hatchling reminded us just how big the heart of a 13 year old can be.”
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