Bambi the grysbok sparks hope amid Overstrand blaze

The Overstrand fires in the Western Cape, which started as a result of a flare set off on New Years Eve, have been affecting the Betty’s Bay, Hangklip, Hermanus, Pringle Bay and Rooiels areas. Residents have been forced to evacuate their houses, homes and businesses have burnt down and wildlife has majorly suffered.

 

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Wild night with a 24h shift following the NCC Hotshots 🔥 The Bettys Bay Fire has entered its 6th day with multiple flanks still burning, some under control and burning high in the mountains… Hoping for swift containment in the next few days!

A post shared by Sullivan Photography (@sullivan_photography) on Jan 6, 2019 at 4:10am PST

When firefighters from the Winelands Fire Services were working on a section of the fire, they happened upon a young Cape grysbok who was attempting to flee the flames. Firefighters managed to rescue the animal and bring him to safety, where he was handed over to ER24 Paramedics. The paramedic team quickly named the young antelope ‘Bambi’.

 

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Our Ebervet Country Animal Clinic in Somerset West took in a very special patient last night, a burn victim from the awful Betty’s Bay fires. This precious creature has burns on his feet, face and ears and is badly dehydrated but we’re doing all we can to save him #grysbok #fire #bettysbay #countryanimalclinic #wildlife #southafrica #vetclinic #rescue #vets

A post shared by EberVet Petcare Group (@vet4pets) on Jan 11, 2019 at 9:32pm PST

After being handed over to the Ebervet Country Animal Clinic in Somerset West, Bambi’s, who had suffered burns and injuries, was immediately tended to. The Cape grysbok had burns on his eyes, ears and feet and was extremely dehydrated.

After tending to his injuries, round-the-clock care and bottle feeding, the vets of Country Animal Clinic have managed to help little Bambi get back on his feet.

 

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#repost from Country Animal Clinic. https://www.facebook.com/countryanimalclinic/ Update on the bokkie brought to us for medical care this morning after being rescued from the Betty’s Bay fires: We’re hugely grateful to our amazing vets, Dr Rosali Bruggemann, her fiancé Dr Tiaan Visser and Dr Adri Rossouw for their tremendous efforts in trying to save this precious young Grysbok. He is doing well and is eating, thanks to Dr Adri’s bottle feeding. Dr Adri has taken him into her home so that he has round-the-clock care. A very special thank you to the Wynland firefighters who found him and paramedics Wardi de Wet and Riaz Arendse of ER24 who delivered him to us in their ambulance. We have treated the bokkie’s burns (and nicknamed him Bambi) and given him fluids and painkillers. All we can do now is wait and hope that he makes it. For those of you who wanted to donate to his care, a big thank you, but we are more than happy to carry his medical costs. If you’d like to donate, please consider the firemen and paramedics who put their lives on the line to fight these fires. You will find donor details on the Betty’s Bay Village Facebook page. Thank you all for your concern and messages of support. Here is this afternoon’s picture of Dr Adri feeding the young bokkie. #bettysbayfire #bok #rescue #save #baby #donation #grateful

A post shared by The Village NEWS (@thevillagenews) on Jan 12, 2019 at 11:37am PST

Bambi is currently residing at the home of veterinarian Dr Adri Rossouw, where he has begun to walk around on his feet, a sign he is making good progress in his recovery.

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Bambi, the little Grysbok saved from the Betty’s Bay fires by firemen and paramedics and brought to our Country Animal Clinic is eating like a champ and tottering around on his bandages. He’s being cared for at the home of our veterinarian Dr Adri Rossouw #bambi #fires #bettysbay #rescue #wildlife #southafrica #countryanimalclinic #somersetwest

A post shared by EberVet Petcare Group (@vet4pets) on Jan 13, 2019 at 9:10pm PST

Bambi’s health is seemingly improving, with his appetite and energy levels are steadily increasing. He has also befriended a bunny rabbit at his new home. His recovery has been close to miraculous thanks to the 24-hour care he is receiving.

 

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An update on our rescued Grysbok, Bambi. His burns are healing nicely, he’s eating enthusiastically and he’s made a new bunny friend. Our grateful thanks again to the firemen and paramedics who saved him from the Betty’s Bay fires #grysbok #rescue #wildlife #bambi #fire #bettysbay #countryanimalclinic

A post shared by EberVet Petcare Group (@vet4pets) on Jan 14, 2019 at 9:13pm PST

The Overstrand Municipality needs public donations to help with the devastation that has been caused by the fires. If you’d like to donate to the affected areas, you can do so using the following details:

The Overstrand Municipality Executive Mayor’s Special Fund to assist the Betty’s Bay, Hangklip, Pringle Bay and Rooiels areas.

ACCOUNT HOLDER: Overstrand Municipality

ACCOUNT TYPE: Current Account

BANK: ABSA Bank

BRANCH: Hermanus

BRANCH CODE: 334-812

ACCOUNT NUMBER: 3220 000 035

PAYMENT REFERENCE: Mayoral Fund-B/Bay Fire followed by either the words (**reward**) or (**support**).

Emergency Call Centre 0283122400, 0283138000, 028 3138996

Picture: ER24/ Facebook