Conservationist goes missing while helping birds along Vaal River Posted by Anita Froneman on 4 January 2022 UPDATE: The NSRI have found Dirk and he is safe. He is being checked by medics and the Center will release a full statement in due course. READ: Missing man found ‘clinging to a tree in raging waters’ in Vaal River Wildlife conservationist Dirk Engelbrecht of Wild Serve has gone missing along the Vaal River in the area of Deneysville in the Free State. The South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center sent out teams to try and rescue hundreds of weavers, herons and egrets whose nests were under threat from drowning due to the high water levels. ‘The Vaal Dam is at a healthy 108.6% full, which means another (or other) sluice gates might soon be opened, releasing even more water into the river, which will put most of these nests underwater,’ the Center said on January 1. However, on January 3, Engelbrecht – who was one of the team members trying to save the birds and their chicks from drowning – went missing. ‘NSRI is in attendance, SAPS is in attendance, various other rescue organizations and divers are on site but we need local people to please check river banks, trees, and the local area,’ the Center said. ‘We are hoping Dirk has managed to get to the riverbank and is sitting waiting patiently for us to find him.’ He is wearing a blue life jacket. He does not have a phone with him. ‘Please remember your own safety first, and DO NOT get into the river to help look unless you are part of a trained team. We do not need to turn a search for Dirk into a multiple person search,’ the centre added. Anyone with information can contact the following numbers: +27 (79) 876-1006 (Danelle) 079 505 8348 (Alan) Vaughan on site: +27 (82) 458-6431 Please do not use these numbers to enquire about updates. Picture: South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Related Posts Cape Town’s sustainability: Leading the way in environmental initiatives 1 June 2023 As National Environmental Month commences in South Africa, Cape Town stands proudly at the forefront... read more Kapama to host Safari Guide of the Year Awards 2023 1 June 2023 Kapama Private Game Reserve near Hoedspruit will host this year’s Safari Guide of the Year... read more Blood Lions relaunches for public viewing on YouTube 1 June 2023 Award-winning documentary feature film Blood Lions has been relaunched on YouTube for public viewing, creating... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
Cape Town’s sustainability: Leading the way in environmental initiatives 1 June 2023 As National Environmental Month commences in South Africa, Cape Town stands proudly at the forefront... read more
Kapama to host Safari Guide of the Year Awards 2023 1 June 2023 Kapama Private Game Reserve near Hoedspruit will host this year’s Safari Guide of the Year... read more
Blood Lions relaunches for public viewing on YouTube 1 June 2023 Award-winning documentary feature film Blood Lions has been relaunched on YouTube for public viewing, creating... read more