Jake White the Springbuck

The Story of Jake White the Springbuck

It is with great sadness that we bring you the story of Jake White, our beloved Springbuck.

Jake arrived at the Centre as a very young buck and with a lot of love and care became the Springbuck we all knew and loved.

Jake was always the first one to come running when we had tasty treats for the animals. He was a master at escaping from the Centre and would always time it perfectly when staff came in and out of the Centre, slipping through the gate before he could be stopped! He would then make us run all the way down the road after him, only stopping every now and again to do his little “dance” and taunt us! Just as quickly as Jake had ran out of the gate, he would run back to the gate and slip inside again!

Jake was the “dominant male” of the Centre. He patrolled the fences just to make sure that no other bull or ram messed with his girls. He did not take to strange animals very lightly.

The Saturday of the unfortunate accident, a stray Kudu broke through the gate at the Centre. Jake was, as usual, at his post patrolling the fences and tried bravely to protect his girls from the intruder. The Kudu died at the scene and Jake was rushed to the Vet in town. Jake had sustained a broken shoulder in the encounter and had fluid in his lungs from the impact. Although he was strong, Jake sadly died from his injuries two days later.

We would like to thank Dr Marius, the Vet on duty that day, for all his help.

Jake, we will miss you.