Helping People Help Wildlife
Wild Ways empowers communities to protect wildlife through Wildlife First Responder training, humane education, and educational outreach across South Africa.
Join a growing network of trained Wildlife First Responders supporting permitted rescue centres across South Africa.
Wildlife Rescue Guide
Not sure what to do when you find wildlife in crisis? Our Wildlife Rescue Guide explains how to respond safely in common wildlife emergencies such as injured animals, baby birds, bats, cat-caught wildlife, and animals trapped in netting or buildings.
Wildlife Rescue
Knowledge Base
Learn the most important things wildlife rescue centres want the public to know. These short articles explain how to avoid common mistakes when helping injured wildlife and how to reduce stress during rescue.
HELPING WILDLIFE TOGETHER
Communities working together to protect wildlife through Wildlife First Responder training, humane education, compassionate wildlife rescue practices, and wildlife habitat creation across South Africa.
Wild Ways equips everyday people with the knowledge and practical skills needed to respond safely when wildlife is injured, orphaned, or in conflict with humans, helping ensure animals receive the right care from permitted rehabilitation centres.
Wildlife First Responder Training
Empowering everyday people with the skills to respond safely when wildlife needs help.
Join a growing network of trained volunteer Wildlife First Responders assisting the public, preventing unnecessary wildlife removals, and ensuring animals in crisis reach permitted rehabilitation centres.
Join the Wild Ways Pack
A community of people committed to protecting wildlife and supporting rescue efforts.
Become part of a growing community supporting wildlife rescue, conservation education, and habitat protection across South Africa. It's free!
Humane Education Outreach
Inspiring the next generation through compassion-centred education.
Our outreach programme is part of the humane education work of Greyton Farm Animal Sanctuary.
Learn More
Wildlife Habitat Boxes
Restoring safe nesting spaces for the species that keep ecosystems healthy.
Expertly crafted by OWL BOX MAN for geckos, bats, owls, and falcons — nature's best pest control team.
Explore Habitat BoxesWhat To Do If You Find Injured Wildlife
Wildlife emergencies can happen anywhere. Learning how to respond safely helps protect both people and animals.
If you find injured, orphaned, or distressed wildlife, stay calm and assess the situation carefully.
If an animal is clearly injured or caught by a cat or dog, it will need help from trained wildlife rescuers and a permitted wildlife rehabilitation centre.
Visit our Emergency Contacts Page or WhatsApp +27 72 130 2208 to find your nearest permitted wildlife rehabilitation centre or trained First Responders who can assist with:
- Orphaned wildlife
- Baby birds fallen from nests
- Injured birds like owls, hadedas or other garden birds
- Injured mammals like mongoose, genets, or bats
- Animals trapped in buildings or gardens
- Wildlife caught by cats or dogs, who will need immediate treatment
NEVER GIVE FOOD OR WATER! EVER!
Proudly Collaborating With
Wild Ways collaborates with conservation organisations, wildlife rescue networks, and humane education initiatives working to protect wildlife and support compassionate communities across South Africa.
Bring Wild Ways to Your Community
Wild Ways offers engaging online and in-person wildlife talks, practical rescue training, and humane education programmes for schools, teachers, homeschool groups, nature and conservation clubs, domestic rescue organisations, and community groups.
- Wildlife First Responder Training
- Wildlife Hero talks for children
- Bat talks for adults and children
- Bats Without Borders' Classrooms Without Walls programme for primary schools
- Humane Education teacher training and support
Your Wild Ways instructor, Shireen Freeman, is affiliated with Bats Without Borders and certified by The Institute for Humane Education. She is also a trained and active Wildlife First Responder.