Our Mission
Wild Ways collaborates with wildlife rehabilitation centres, humane educators, and conservation organisations to build a growing network of informed and compassionate wildlife first responders across South Africa. Our mission is to empower people with the knowledge and skills needed to protect wildlife in their communities. Through education, outreach, and practical training we aim to reduce accidental harm caused by incorrect rescue attempts, support wildlife rehabilitation centres, and inspire compassionate and humane co-existence with wildlife and nature.
Meet the Team
Shireen Freeman
Founder of Wild Ways and Grace Valley Wildlife Rescue
Shireen is a certified wildlife rescuer and educator who founded Grace Valley Wildlife Rescue in the Overberg.
Through her rescue work she recognised the need for public education around wildlife emergencies and created the Wild Ways Learning Centre to provide wildlife rescue training and compassionate humane education.
- Wildlife First Responder
- Founder of Grace Valley Wildlife Rescue
- Classrooms Without Walls Educator with Bats Without Borders
- Solutionary Facilitator certified by the Institute for Humane Education
- Trustee of Greyton Farm Animal Sanctuary
Karla Lieneke
Wild Ways Ambassador & Humane Educator for the Eastern Cape
Karla Lieneke is certified Wild Ways Wildlife First Responder. She coordinates our growing Eastern Cape responder network and offers humane education talks and community outreach in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) to inspire compassionate coexistence with wildlife.
Nicola Vernon
Founder of Greyton Farm Animal Sanctuary
Nicola Vernon founded Greyton Farm Animal Sanctuary, an organisation committed to providing lifelong care for rescued farm animals, as well as helping local pig farmers set up sustainable vegetable gardens through their Pigs to Plants program developed in partnership with Humane World for Animals.
She also leads the Sanctuary’s pioneering Solutionary Humane Education Outreach Program developed in partnership with the Institute for Humane Education.
Michelle Watson
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Consultant
Michelle Watson is a certified Wildlife Rehabilitator and the founder of Wildlife Rescue South Africa who offers advanced training in Wildlife Rehabilitation, accredited by the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council.
She also works as a wildlife rehabilitator at the Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue & Training Centre, the first multi-species Wildlife Rescue and Training Centre in the Western Cape.
Michelle provides expert guidance and consultation to Grace Valley Wildlife Rescue and Wild Ways, helping ensure wildlife rescue education aligns with professional rehabilitation standards and best practices.
About Wild Ways
Wild Ways is a wildlife rescue education initiative dedicated to empowering the public to become knowledgeable Wildlife First Responders who can safely assist wildlife and support permitted rehabilitation centres.
Through educational resources, workshops, and our Wildlife First Responder Training, Wild Ways equips members of the public with the knowledge and confidence to assist wildlife responsibly until professional rehabilitation help is available.
Every year, many wild animals die not from their injuries but from well-meaning human intervention. By teaching the public how to recognise wildlife emergencies and respond correctly, Wild Ways helps prevent unnecessary suffering and improves survival outcomes for wildlife.
Learn Wildlife Rescue the Right Way
If you want to help wildlife safely and confidently, our Wildlife First Responder Training teaches practical rescue skills used by wildlife rescuers and rehabilitation centres.
Members of the Wild Ways Pack receive a discount on this training and gain access to a private community forum where trained responders connect, share experiences, and access wildlife rescue resources.
View Wildlife First Responder Training