Who is DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage?
The Hyraxes of DAKTARI
The Hyraxes of DAKTARI
Câline the Hyrax of DAKTARI
Câline the Hyrax of DAKTARI
Câline is the most famous resident of DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage.
Câline was one of three orphaned hyraxes sent to DAKTARI from Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Center after they were found abandoned. DAKTARI previously housed countless other animals with all kinds of personalities, but she was different.
While most hyraxes go feral around one year of age, and even Câline’s brother started attacking volunteers and children around the camp until he was sent back into the wild, Câline proved herself to be an unusually and exceptionally cuddly animal. Michele Merrifield decided to name this special hyrax Câline, which is French for cuddly!
Câline, having been raised by Michele, sees Michele as the “alpha female” of the group. She follows Michele in using human toilets at her home, trusted Michele with her babies, and even comforted her throughout Michele’s battle with cancer in the early 2020s.
As a result, Câline is loved and returns that love for everyone else. She sees us humans as part of her awawa (hyrax social group). She is also a very independent, intelligent, and wonderful star of a hyrax.
Eric the Hyrax of DAKTARI
Eric the Hyrax of DAKTARI
Eric is the newest member of DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage.
Eric the hyrax was discovered injured on a road in Africa, far away from any nature or other dassies. He is an incredibly smart hyrax who managed to escape the grasp of an eagle as a baby.
The couple that found Eric couldn’t send him back into the wild and instead brought him to DAKTARI after seeing the countless videos of Câline living happily around the camp.
He just turned one year old and has already used his wit to learn quite a few tricks and unique quirks. When I visited him, he even hopped on my shoulders to eat from his favorite trees whenever he could. Not only does Eric love to jump for snacks, but you can always see him hopping around with toys in his mouth or venturing out to explore the world beyond the DAKTARI camp site.
Eric is a very active and very sweet animal who loves his caretaker more than anyone else, but is still learning his place in the world.
Popcorn the Hyrax of DAKTARI
Popcorn the Hyrax of DAKTARI
Popcorn was a special disabled dassie who lived his life at DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage.
Popcorn was a disabled hyrax sent to DAKTARI after he was rejected by his awawa of hyraxes. He was a small creature who trusted only those closest to him, and went so far as to eat every meal with his caretaker when he could. Since he had dwarfism, he found a unique love for the humans who rescued him when the other hyraxes shunned him.
Despite everything, Popcorn lived a lovely life with his humans and even slept under his caretakers sheets and joined her at the pool. He loved her so much that he unfortunately passed away of a broken heart when she went home for the winter. Mistaking his human as having abandoned him too, he refused to eat or move until his little body couldn’t take it anymore.
Popcorn is remembered in a grave at DAKTARI and it is my deepest regret that I never got to meet the actual animal before his untimely passing.
The Other Hyraxes at DAKTARI
The Other Hyraxes at DAKTARI
Several other, unnamed hyraxes find their home at and around DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage.
Several other hyraxes live at DAKTARI, including Câline’s elusive boyfriend and a couple wild hyraxes who scatter at the sight of humans. They don’t have names since they aren’t tame animals like Câline is, but they reside around the camp and can be spotted from time to time.
DAKTARI makes it a point to feed these animals regardless, providing them with food and amenities to lounge in comfort with one another. Several additional hyraxes live on a rocky outcropping known as a Kopje just a few meters from the camp itself.
Working with DAKTARI Bush School
Working with DAKTARI Bush School
As the creator behind @Hyraxhub, I’ve been recently teaming up with DAKTARI Bush School to spread both the awareness of their mission and the joy of some of their photogenic hyraxes. It’s helped people understand the range of personality that these wonderful animals display, spreading awareness of the animals and helping DAKTARI reduce poaching in its region of Limpopo South Africa.
As of 2025 Google Trends even saw the largest jump in hyrax love since the “Wawa” screaming hyrax last year, thanks to some videos of Câline.
DAKTARI reached out to me in 2025, and I’ve now visited their amazing camp twice to film their hyraxes and see the positive change they’ve imparted upon their community. They helped many local children find great careers in the local region, teach them the dangers of poaching, and are helping preserve the delicate environment that we live alongside. Moreover, they’ve given amazing lives to many animals who would have been otherwise left to die. Animals like Popcorn, Câline, and Eric.
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