UPDATE: The NSRI have found Dirk and he is safe. He is being checked by medics and the Center will release a full statement in due course.
READ: Missing man found ‘clinging to a tree in raging waters’ in Vaal River
Wildlife conservationist Dirk Engelbrecht of Wild Serve has gone missing along the Vaal River in the area of Deneysville in the Free State.
The South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center sent out teams to try and rescue hundreds of weavers, herons and egrets whose nests were under threat from drowning due to the high water levels.
‘The Vaal Dam is at a healthy 108.6% full, which means another (or other) sluice gates might soon be opened, releasing even more water into the river, which will put most of these nests underwater,’ the Center said on January 1.
However, on January 3, Engelbrecht – who was one of the team members trying to save the birds and their chicks from drowning – went missing.
‘NSRI is in attendance, SAPS is in attendance, various other rescue organizations and divers are on site but we need local people to please check river banks, trees, and the local area,’ the Center said. ‘We are hoping Dirk has managed to get to the riverbank and is sitting waiting patiently for us to find him.’
He is wearing a blue life jacket. He does not have a phone with him.
‘Please remember your own safety first, and DO NOT get into the river to help look unless you are part of a trained team. We do not need to turn a search for Dirk into a multiple person search,’ the centre added.
Anyone with information can contact the following numbers:
+27 (79) 876-1006 (Danelle)
079 505 8348 (Alan)
Vaughan on site: +27 (82) 458-6431
Please do not use these numbers to enquire about updates.
Picture: South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
