Humane World for Animals South Africa

WATCH ☺️ What happens when an ant bites a pangolin's tongue? For an animal with no teeth, it's ironic that pangolins eat insects that can bite 🐜. Pangolins have adaptations that prevent ants from causing too much damage, but occasionally one will find a tender spot. This young female Temminck’s pangolin is feeding on pugnacious ants and their eggs. When an ant bites her tongue, she reacts. The easiest way to remove the biter is by extending her tongue fully and pulling it back in to wipe the ant off on the edge of the tongue’s sheath. @hsiafrica is proud to support the @AfricanPangolin in helping to protect pangolin populations from being eaten away by the illegal trade. #pangolin

🦒🦒 Breaking news for giraffes! The @USFWS has proposed listing four giraffe species under the Endangered Species Act! With fewer than 69,000 mature individuals left in the wild, giraffe populations have plummeted nearly 40% since the 1980s 💔. This is due to habitat loss, civil unrest, poaching, human-driven changes and the trade in bone carvings, skins, and trophies. This proposal brings hope, expectantly giving giraffes the protection they deserve. @HSIAfrica welcomes this decision by the @USFWS to bring in additional protections for giraffes. South Africa is a prime destination for hunters seeking giraffe trophies with approximately 174 giraffes killed each year by US citizens, however in 2019 South Africa took out a reservation against the giraffe being listed on Appendix II of CITES. This effectively countered international attempts to protect the species. Listing giraffes under the ESA will provide the long overdue protections that South Africa is failing to provide. 🙏 We urge decision-makers to carefully consider the conservation needs of giraffes to ensure these long-necked wonders are protected for future generations.

#DYK Being specialist ant feeders, pangolins consume numerous species of ant and termite 🐜🪲. They're equipped with incredibly strong forearms and large claws to dig through hard outer layers of ant and termite mounds to get to the inhabitants. But what happens when the ant nest is in a branch that has no stable base to hold it in place❓ This young Temminck's pangolin found the perfect way to stabilise the source of his food, by wrapping his strong tail around the branch and bracing it with his hind legs, he then has easy access to the branch’s inhabitants. @HSIAfrica is proud to support the @AfricanPangolin in helping to protect pangolins. Video: Manyoni Private Game Reserve #pangolin #wildlife

🌱 @HSIAfrica launched its #GreenMondaySA initiative in two rural schools in Genadendal! Hundreds of students are now enjoying nutrient-packed, plant-based meals made with ingredients grown in their own school gardens! 🌽 The program not only aims to enhance the nutritional quality of school meals but also reduces animal-based products by 20%. Consuming more plant-based meals can help to improve our health, and also reduce the environmental impact of animal agriculture, where welfare issues often arise as well 🌍🐷. Eating ‘green’ may also improve food security in under-resourced communities. As part of the program, students received ‘Eating Green at School is Cool booklets’ to learn more about the benefits of plant-based eating. 💚🌱 #EatGreen #GreenMondaySA

Going on holiday? Think twice before you participate in elephant experiences. 🐘 Many tourism activities are unethical and cause pain and suffering to these animals. Travelers should always research before booking an activity to understand which activities to avoid. @STI_travel's latest blog unpacks what ethical versus unethical elephant tourism in Asia and Africa looks like and offers advice on picking an experience that aligns with your values. Read: sustainabletravel.org/ethical-elepha…

Sterilizing your dog is more than just preventing conception — it’s a decision that contributes to their long-term health and well-being. Spaying and neutering can help to reduce certain health risks, and even improve your dog’s behavior. 🐾❤️ Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions surrounding sterilization. @HSIAfrica is busting 6 myths around the sterilization of your dog! See: instagram.com/p/DClnB4yC3w3/…

🦁The South Africa’s government recently committed to ban captive lion breeding. Now we are urging the government to extend the ban to ALL big cats and predators, and prohibit any interaction with these animals. 🙏⚠️PLEASE help us! Add your voice and sign: secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/sa… Thank you @Avaaz for supporting this incredibly important cause.

We welcome @CrueltyFreeEU's #TheRATlist, suggesting 10 common animal tests that could be replaced with humane, non-animal methods 🚫💉🐁 Animal testing is still legal in South Africa, causing the animals unnecessary pain, suffering & almost always death💔. We oppose the unnecessary use of animals in fields like cosmetics testing & entertainment. We believe that today’s technology has the potential to substantially replace animals in research & education, but it hasn’t been fully explored. Sadly, animal testing is still the default in medical & biomedical contexts, even as rapidly evolving technologies offer viable and more ethical alternatives. ⚠️ A lot of work is needed, but YOU can make a difference by choosing to purchase products that are not tested on animals! More info: crueltyfreeinternational.org/make-change/re… #BeCrueltyFree

🐘 🌍 Our world-renowned #ElephantImmunocontraception Program is only possible thanks to the incredible support of our partners! Together we've vaccinated nearly 1,700 female elephants across 50 reserves in South Africa as a humane and proactive approach to elephant population control. @pneudart has been instrumental in supporting our work, generously sponsoring the specialized 389 cartridge-fired dart gun used to administer the vaccine in Mark & Inject darts. Each dart delivers the non-hormonal, non-steroidal pZP vaccine and includes a marking spray on the elephant’s back at the dart site for a quick visual reference of treated individuals 💜. Selected female elephants are darted swiftly and painlessly from a helicopter 🚁. The dart is gently shot in the elephant's rear and falls out almost immediately, allowing us to treat the elephants without anesthesia or immobilization. 🙏 Teamwork really makes the dream work and we thank all those that play a pivotal role in this humane, nature-based population control program!

✨🧡 Special sighting of a caracal at @CapePointSA Nature Reserve - in the wild where they belong! Caracals are very important for managing ecological balance. They are keystone species: animals whose disappearance can cause the increase or decline of others. 🌍🐾 Their greatest threats are urbanization, habitat loss, hunting, human-wildlife conflict, road accidents, and loss of prey. You Can Help ‼ - Be mindful of wildlife in your surroundings. - Keep a respectful distance - never approach or interact with wildlife. - Report sightings, especially roadkill, of caracals to @urbancaracal. 📷 Spotted by @hsiafrica's very own Matthew Schurch. #wildliveconservation

Beautiful Bruno was brought to one of our #HealthyPetsHealthierCommunity primary health clinics in Cape Agulhas, suffering from a severe tick infestation. He received immediate tick treatment and was given medication to continue at home. After several months of care, he’s now completely tick-free, healthy, and full of joy 🐶🥰! @HSIAfrica's #HealthyPetsHealthierCommunity program offers sponsored primary veterinary care to companion animals in the Cape Agulhas Municipality. Mass sterilization events are also hosted to help mitigate overpopulation and improve overall welfare. Since the launch in 2022, over 2000 animals have been treated! 🙌.

Wonderful news👏🦁 @environmentza's Minister Dion George reaffirmed his commitment to phase out & ultimately ban the commercial captive lion breeding industry in South Africa! @hsiafrica welcomes & fully supports the Minster, who stated, “I have taken a clear and decisive stance against captive lion breeding. The process initiated by my predecessor [Minister Barbara Creecy] will continue.” Currently, there are approx. 7,800 lions kept in over 342 captive facilities across South Africa, where they are bred for cruel, profit-driven activities like cub petting, voluntourism, entertainment, “canned” or captive trophy hunting, & the lion bone trade 💔. We are looking forward to engaging with the DFFE on this matter 🙏. We hope the Minister will further this commitment to apply to ALL big cats in South Africa to avoid copycat industries from developing. #lions #captivelionbreeding #bancaptivelionbreeding

SIGN @hsiafrica’s Big Cats SA petition here: hsi.org/bigcatssa

#DYK that there are an estimated 7,800 lions kept in more than 342 captive facilities across South Africa, breeding lions & other big cats for commercial purposes such as cub petting, volun-tourism, entertainment, “canned” or captive trophy hunting, & trade 🦁💔. ⚠YOU can be part of the change! Say NO to interactions with big cats & SIGN @hsiafrica’s Big Cats SA petition here: hsi.org/bigcatssa to help urge @GovernmentZA to: • ban the breeding of all big cats and predators in captivity; • ban public contact with big cat species and other captive predators, including interactive experiences like cub petting and “walking with” experiences; and • ban the keeping of big cat species as pets or as ambassador species in captive or so-called 'educational' facilities. #BigCatsSA #Lions #CaptiveLionBreeding

@HSIAfrica partnered with Hoedspruit AnimaL Outreach, offering sponsored vaccinations and sterilizilations to community pets. This improves pet welfare, manages overpopulation, and shields wild and endangered species from diseases like rabies. Be a responsible pet owner ‼ Vaccinate your pets to protect them, your community, and the surrounding wildlife. For free vaccination events this World Rabies Day, visit tinyurl.com/WorldRabiesDay…

🦠🐾 Saturday is #WorldRabiesDay! This deadly viral infection primarily affecting dogs & cats but is easily transmittable to humans through bites or wounds from rabid animals. @WHO states that over 59,000 people globally die of rabies yearly. #Rabies can also spill over to wildlife. Jackals, bat-eared foxes, mongooses, kudus, big cats, and African wild dogs often die when they encounter infected domestic pets and feral animals ☠😢. The good news: rabies is entirely preventable with safe and effective vaccines!

🐾🇿🇦 Happy #heritageday2024 🐾 🇿🇦 Today, we celebrate not only the rich tapestry of cultures that make South Africa so unique, but also the incredible wildlife that is a vital part of our shared heritage. South Africa is home to an extraordinary variety of species that hold deep cultural, ecological, and conservation significance. Consider the African elephant 🐘 , cheetah, zebra 🦓 , African leopard 🐆 , giraffe 🦒 , southern right whale 🐋 , African lion 🦁 , white and black rhino 🦏 , African wild dog, blue crane, African fish eagle 🦅 , bottlenose dolphin 🐬 , Cape buffalo 🐃 , and even the Cape ground squirrel 🐿️ . These are just some of the iconic species that are more than just a part of our landscape — they are a part of who we are. Let’s honor our natural heritage by protecting animals and ensuring that future generations can experience the beauty and wonder of South Africa’s wildlife too. #ProudlySouthAfrican

South Africa has a disturbing secret. At least 7,800 lions are suffering in captivity — legally. Breeders tear the lion cubs away from their mothers at just a few days old, only to offer them as living photo props and fake “orphans” for paying volunteers to hand-raise, and tame them for a life of exploitation. SIGN TODAY to urge the South African government to end this once and for all. 👉hsi.global/x091924