Daktari is a wildlife orphanage that enables meaningful interaction between disabled and able-bodied persons and animals, at the same time giving a similar oportunity for the disadvantaged. It also provides an educational medium whilst creating employment in a tourist attraction.

 

A TV programme about a family in an African Country looking after many different types of orphaned wild animals was a great hit when we were younger and is what has inspired the dream of Daktari.

 

Growing up in Africa I have been in a unique position to take care of many orphaned animals, ranging from small bush babies to a giraffe, and including birds injured flying into power lines or windows and when my wife Michele and I met on a game reserve where she assisted in hand-raising a baby zebra, an orphaned wildebeest and 2 small orphaned warthogs and the two of us along with a quadriplegic friend were inspired to make our dream a reality.

 

Our friend has taught us that being handicapped does not mean a person cannot help with animals and the joy we experience together assisting in the raising of animals that have no parental options makes this a worthy challenge.

 

We decided to form a non-profit organisation where people from all walks of life could have the opportunity to love and care for animals that need it.  To be able to share this experience with those less fortunate and to be able to give unselfishly provides great personal reward.  The challenge is extreme but is a wonderful character building experience which will be beneficial to all. 

 

Daktari provides a great learning experience for the very young and is also beneficial to those in their latter years.  Our objective is to do good and provide people with an opportunity to show compassion towards others and respect for different opinions.