When Siya and Nolu were little springboks, they went through a terrible ordeal on account of illegal hunting. But, like our beloved rugby team, resilience reigned supreme, and the two won their lives back.
Johannesburg, South Africa (16 January 2025) — As spring spread softly across South Africa in 2024, so too did unscrupulous activities that would impact the world of wildlife. For two little springboks, late September brought with it a terrible ordeal that saw them become victims of an illegal hunting operation. But, by the skin of their teeth, they managed to survive.
In fact, they were the only survivors of this operation’s interception by boots on the ground. Found in an awful state in the back of a van, the good guys made sure the lambs’ next stop was a hopeful one and got them to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital (JWVH).
The JWVS recounts their first time meeting Siya and Nolu (who they fashionably named after the Men and Women’s rugby captains and champions) as a helluva experience.
“Their state of terror was indescribable,” the team explained.
But if there was ever a team up for a healing mission of great proportions, it’s the JWVH crew.
The hospital’s animal care team put all efforts into ensuring the lambs were looked after and put on the road back to health. Given their tender ages, the little Springboks were also hand-raised but with minimal human imprinting.
All these months later Siya and Nolu are champions in their own right, who won their lives back!
“Today, they stand strong as a testament to resilience and compassion, ready to be released back into the wild where they belong,” the team report.
Watch: Siya and Nolu, a Story of Hope
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Despite their happy ending, the fight is still ongoing to hold perpetrators of illegal hunting, with dogs accountable. While the court case against those behind the operation unfolds in 2024, the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital asks that everyone wanting to take a stand consider contributing something small to the upcoming court case and to the care for animals like Siya and Nolu.
“Your R100 is a huge support to our efforts in wildlife conservation and assists us to be a voice against poaching and cruelty.”
You can support Siya, Nolu and animals with cases like theirs here.
Sources: Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital
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