In December 2024, The Bateleurs facilitated a special wildlife rescue mission, flying two meerkats rescued by the Wildlife Rescue SA team, from Stellenbosch Airport to Solid Earth Meerkat Rehab and Rescue in Van Zylsrus, Kalahari. Bats pilot Thomas Marrow, flying his newly acquired RV aircraft, ensured a swift and smooth journey, demonstrating the incredible efficiency of these fast planes. Don Bailey, Bats director, was in Cape Town to witness the departure, supporting the team’s efforts in wildlife conservation. At their destination, Alma-Celeste Stafford and her team at Solid Earth welcomed the meerkats, ready to provide them with expert care and rehabilitation.
PILOT REPORT:
What a great mission! We took off from Stellenbosch after meeting Michelle Watson and the Wildlife Rescue SA team, who handed over two meerkats—each from different species, one a Karoo meerkat and the other a Northern Cape meerkat.
The flight to Upington took about 2 hours 20 minutes, followed by another 40-minute leg to Van Zylsrus. The heat was extreme—easily the hottest I’ve ever experienced. Taking off from Upington was a challenge, with the aircraft needing nearly the entire runway to gain enough speed while keeping engine temperatures in check. Landing in Van Zylsrus, we were met with temperatures soaring to 45°C—I have no idea how people manage to live in that heat!
Solidearth Meerkat Rehab, located about 30km outside Van Zylsrus is home to 250–300 meerkats. Many of them are rescued former pets or injured individuals undergoing rehabilitation and rewilding. It was great meeting Alma-Celeste Stafford and seeing her incredible work firsthand.
A film crew was also present, working on a promo for an upcoming documentary called Meerkat Mafia, which looks like an interesting project.
We departed the next morning at 06:30, landing back in Johannesburg by 08:45. All in all, a successful mission—both meerkats arrived safely at their new home, where they’ll be given the care they need to thrive.
About Wildlife Rescue SA:
Wildlife Rescue, South Africa aims to improve and standardize the level of wildlife rehabilitation training in South Africa, by offering internationally recognized courses to rehabilitators and rescuers, that focus on the health and welfare of wildlife patients.
Through collaboratively working with professional wildlife specialists around the country, Wildlife Rescue, S.A, is able to bring the latest research, technologies, and skills to rehabilitators and rescuers, with hands-on training courses at a venue near you. Facilitated by IWRC Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator, Michelle Watson, the practical courses and skills development programs introduce students to animal welfare and rehabilitation protocols that meet international standard.
More on Wildlife Rescue SA: https://wildliferescuesa.co.za/about-us/
About Solidearth meerkat/wildlife rehab and rescue:
"We are a rehabilitation facility for injured or wildlife illegally kept as pets which we then take through a long and painstaking process of returning them to nature. We offer educational opportunities for people to see the animals, volunteering and photographing all in the beautiful Kalahari and to experience the Kalahari in all it's glory and splendour."
More on Solidearth Meerkat Rescue and Rehab: https://www.facebook.com/SolidearthMeerkat/
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