Wild Cat Experience
A great learning experience during the holidays for the family and visitors: Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre is based in The Crags just outside of Plettenberg Bay and grew from humble beginnings in 2002 when the owners started rehabilitating injured birds in a wooded shed behind their house. Today Tenikwa has grown to be one of the largest active wildlife rehabilitation centres in the Western Cape, attending to a diverse variety of animals accepting both terrestrial and marine mammals and birds. Rehabilitating injured and abandoned wildlife with the goal to release them back to the wild is what this centre does. Marketing manager Steven Hendriks explains, “Our centre rescues, rehabilitates and releases between 250 to 400 wild animals annually. We work closely with nature/conservation authorities in our area, Cape Nature and SANParks. “Our Awareness Centre ensures that our rehabilitation facilities are sustainable, funding the rehabilitation work and to raise awareness of the conservation issues in South Africa. Tenikwa offers various programmes throughout the day, catering for all ages and fitness levels with a focus on providing a conservationbased, informative tour. Guests learn about the indigenous wild cats of South Africa and why they are disappearing from our landscape. Species include African wild cat, caracal, serval, cheetah,leopard, lions while you will also spend time in our meerkat meander and see various indigenous bird species. “Come with an Open Mind, Tread with a Lighter Step, Leave with a Change of Heart,” says Hendriks.