They weren’t expecting that.
When a woman walked into FreeMe Wildlife, an animal rehabilitation center in South Africa, carrying nothing but a potted plant, the staff weren’t quite sure what to make of it. But what was hiding inside the leaves turned out to be a remarkable — and endangered — surprise.
A Rescue Center Built for the Unexpected
The specialists at FreeMe Wildlife are trained to handle all kinds of wild patients, from tortoises and owls to wild cats. Even so, a woman arriving with a common houseplant was something nobody on staff had seen before.
“To say our rehab staff were a little taken aback … is a bit of an understatement,” the organization shared in a Facebook post. “While we do have a garden full of indigenous plants, we didn’t think there was much we could do for this common house plant, especially since there didn’t appear to be much wrong with it.”
The Plant Was Just the Beginning
As it turned out, the plant wasn’t the patient — it was the transportation. Hidden among the leaves was a Natal Midlands dwarf chameleon, one of South Africa’s most endangered animal species. According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, dwarf chameleons have suffered a significant population decline in recent years, largely due to habitat destruction.
How One Woman Spotted the Hidden Danger
The chameleon’s rescuer, Liandra, had been working in her office when she noticed a group of wild starlings paying unusual attention to a nearby plant. Looking closer, she saw one of the birds holding the tiny chameleon in its beak.
Knowing how endangered chameleons are, Liandra stepped in — gently encouraging the starling to release the animal. Rather than moving the chameleon to a box or container, she kept him right where he was, nestled in the plant, and brought the whole thing to FreeMe Wildlife.
“This was quite clever, as a natural environment reduces stress,” said FreeMe Wildlife clinic manager Elishia Goosen.
A Thorough Check-Up and a Happy Outcome
Upon examination, rescuers were relieved to find the chameleon bright, alert, and strong. He was moving normally and maintaining a firm grip on the plant stem. Staff treated a minor wound on his abdomen with pain medication and antibacterial spray before clearing him for release.
Back Where He Belongs
Liandra brought the chameleon back to the area where she had found him — this time to her own garden, away from the starlings, giving him a safe and peaceful place to recover.
Still Watching Over Him
Weeks after the rescue, Liandra continues to keep an eye out for her tiny patient whenever she steps into the garden.
“It’s impossible to say if it’s the exact same chameleon,” Goosen said. “But she does still spot one around every now and then.”