Roxy Danckwerts
Roxy Danckwerts is the founder of a wildlife sanctuary in the heart of Zimbabwe.
At Wild Is Life, many of the orphans Roxy has rescued have been brought up in her home – so it’s not unusual to see Pickles the warthog having a nap on the sofa or Noodle the wildebeest wandering through the dining room. Roxy’s been helping sick and orphaned animals for nearly 20 years. She rescued and rehabilitated many different species – from African cats to primates and birds.
My childhood was based around animals鈥� animals always came first in our extended family!Roxy Danckwerts
Roxy says:
“My childhood was based around animals… animals always came first in our extended family! Horses were the passion of my mum, her sister and my Grandmother, so we lived on a farm with a riding school, cattle, sheep, dogs, cats, owls, hamsters, ducks, geese … the works”.
Under the tutelage of some of southern Africa’s most esteemed animal experts, Roxy has gained knowledge, experience and a great reputation for her care and rehabilitation of animals in trouble.
Looking after rescued animals is always full of challenges. But Roxy is now fulfilling the dream of a lifetime and a challenge bigger than she could ever have imagined. She’s building Zimbabwe’s first elephant orphanage in her backyard and baby elephant Moyo will be one of its first residents.
Roxy’s dedication to her animals is awe-inspiring and what drives her is…”simply love” she says. With the orphanage build now well under way, Roxy will not rest until each of the elephants in her care makes it back into the wild where they belong.
