When the dry South African landscape catches fire, there is little animals can do to escape the raging flames, which can tear through the bushveld at a terrifying 13.5mph (22kph).

Credit: Friends of Free Wildlife

Recently, two tiny jackal cubs were orphaned in such fires. Their mothers either lost them as they became disoriented in the chaos, or perished in the devastating flames.

Even more heartbreakingly, a newborn red hartebeest – a species of antelope – lost her mother moments after she was born. The fragile calf was found with her umbilical cord still attached, disorientated and too weak to even stand on her own.

These traumatized little animals stand no chance without support from our team and animal-lovers like you.

Infant wild animals are fighting for their lives after fire orphaned them and destroyed their homes.

Credit: Friends of Free Wildlife

These animals, and many others with equally tragic histories, have found safety and care at our partner, Friends of Free Wildlife (FFW), a private, community-run wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center in Gauteng, South Africa.

FFW has placed the baby jackals together so they can support each other in the wake of this crushing loss, helping them on their long road to recovery.

But for the little hartebeest, recovery will take a lot more time, resources and effort. 

Because her mother died immediately after the infant was born, she did not receive her first, vital feed, which would have given her crucial immune-boosting colostrum. While she is clinging to survival, she is weak, immuno-compromised, and at serious risk of death.

Credit: ASI/Savannah Anderson

When our team visited, she was still not able to stand or walk on her own.

Baby animals dependent on their mothers have lost their primary caregivers to devastating wildfires. Please, help us give them a second chance at life.

FFW works to help rescue, rehabilitate and release wild animals in the Gauteng region, including endangered species so close to extinction, even a single life could tip the scales.

In the aftermath of this spate of wildfires, they have their hands full.

The little antelope needs to be bottle-fed every two hours, from the early hours of the morning until well into the night. She is also receiving physiotherapy so she may gain the strength to stand and walk on her own, and red light therapy to speed up her recovery.

Even as the team struggles to fund the rehabilitation of these survivors, more rescues keep pouring in.

Credit: ASI/Savannah Anderson

Devastating wildfires in Gauteng are increasing in frequency and intensity, due largely to climate change. Animals lucky enough to escape the flames are often left with severe injuries and rely on organizations such as FFW to survive. Without this care and the dedicated team at FFW, they wouldn’t have a chance.

FFW is in dire need of funds for food, medicine and veterinary supplies to keep these babies alive, and to ensure they can recover and be safely returned to wild areas where they belong.

But as more animals in need arrive at the shelter, they can only continue their work through the support of people like you.

Please, open your heart to these little victims. They are vulnerable, afraid, and need all the support they can get – so please, donate any amount you can today.