DANA BAY NEWS - The Dana Bay Conservancy facilitated the removal of a plastic ring that had been stuck around the leg of an antelope for about three months.
Conservancy chairperson, Erika van der Westhuizen, said the female antelope was thought to have had the plastic ring around her leg since September.
She said the antelope was up and walking around again shortly after the removal on 15 December and seemed to be doing well.
Although the antelope was first seen with the ring in September, it could not be removed then as she had just given birth.
Van der Westhuizen noted that the antelope could have easily died from stress, especially after giving birth, and careful consideration on when the removal could be done, had to be taken. The offspring could have run away, got lost, or also died of stress, while the plastic ring was being removed.
"It takes about three months for a baby antelope to survive on its own," Van der Westhuizen said.
The antelope was continuously monitored by concerned citizens and last week, Van der Westhuizen said she was informed by a Dana Bay resident that the condition of the antelope seemed to be worsening.
"She kept us informed daily on her movements so we could coordinate with the vets. Due to the heat, most antelope were laying low during the day and some days, they were all together in a herd, which also made the task of darting much harder," she said.
The antelope during the removal procedure.
"The other challenge was finding an available vet. At the moment, we are busy sourcing two more vets that could assist with future incidents."
Van der Westhuizen said she managed to find a vet, who came out and safely removed the ring and then treated the antelope's leg.
"Vet bills are expensive and the conservancy would be grateful for any donations or financial assistance in this regard from the greater Mossel Bay community, to pay for these services in the future," she said.
To assist the Dana Bay Conservancy with any funding towards future vet bills, contact Jane Buchanan (060 762 9468) or Van der Westhuizen (083 708 9235).
She further urged the Dana Bay community to call the committee members mentioned above or Dr Henk Basson (044 698 1815) to report any incidents of injured wildlife.
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