Baby animal found in South Africa is given something to help them breathe (5)
I believe the answer is:
scuba
'given something to help them breathe' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'baby animal found in south africa' is the wordplay.
'baby animal' becomes 'cub' (cub is a kind of animal. I am not sure about the 'baby' bit.).
'found in' indicates putting letters inside.
'south africa' becomes 'SA' (abbreviation).
'cub' inserted into 'sa' is 'SCUBA'.
'is' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for scuba that I've seen before include "Diving apparatus" , "Skin-diver's device" , "Aqualung" , "breather" , "Diving equipment" .)