Africa Wild

Two rhinos dehorned at E Cape reserve

Friday 31 May 2013 19:20

Two rhino have been dehorned by poachers on a private game reserve in the Paterson area of the Eastern Cape. It is the first poaching incident in the province this year. Both rhino survived the dehorning but they are in a frail state.

The rhinos were found heavily drugged, and in a state of shock. Their horns were clinically removed. Treatment of their damaged horn base is expected to be successful but this does not mean they will survive the attack.

"Our biggest concern though is with the much extended anaesthetic time. We are not sure whether we are dealing with a day or two here where they would have been recumbent for a long time. We are worried about the damage underneath the skin, particularly the muscles and that translates into liver and kidney damage," says William Fowlds from Investec Rhino Lifeline.

Bonnie, the female was easily spotted today but the same could not be said for her other half Clyde. It is believed that he has been hiding since the attack.

"To the rhino poachers who did it I am glad they are upping their game if that is what you want to call it. They should offer them some antidote to wake them up again if they are going to all this trouble and flying in with helicopters and darting them with illegal drugs,” says Schotia Game Reserve’s Peter Bean.

More than half the rhino poached in the Eastern Cape have been darted indicating a well-organised criminal attack. Three hundred and sixty seven rhino have been poached nationally this year.

Source: http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/fd16e2004f ... e-20130531

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... vrTT_6h9ds

Press Release-- Schotia Rhino Poaching Incident..
Schotia Game Reserve regrets to announce the poaching of two rhino on the reserve. It is not clear when the poaching occurred as both animals could not be located for more than a day leading up to their being located, late yesterday afternoon of the 30 May.
The bull, known as Clyde, was discovered first, heavily drugged and in a state of shock. An initial search for Bonnie, the female, proved fruitless and it was feared that she would be found dead.
Schotia immediately called for the veterinary assistance of Dr William Fowlds, of Investec Rhino Lifeline, who arrived supported by the helicopter services of Grant Soule of Aptrac. A short while later Bonnie, was found, very dazed in thick bush.
Both rhino were treated by Dr Fowlds and we can report that they have survived the night and have been located alive this morning.
Dr Fowlds said, “Both these rhino are extremely fortunate to be alive. It is suspected that they were darted by the poachers. Treatment of their damaged horn bases is expected to be successful but what is uncertain at this stage is how much internal trauma they have sustained due to the extended period they would have lain under potent anaesthetic drugs. In previous cases this has led to death weeks and sometimes months later. Both rhino have some trauma to their eyes which is being monitored. Blood samples have been sent to Cape Town in an effort to assess the degree of internal complications.”
This incident is the first poaching incident to take place in the EC in 2013 and is a grim reminder that poachers are still very active in the area. More than half the rhino poached in the Eastern Cape have been darted indicating the very organised and well planned nature of these criminal attacks.
It is very unlikely that well organised crimes of this nature can take place without the knowledge of people in Eastern Cape communities and so we appeal to the public to please come forward with information to assist in stopping this devastation of these national treasures.
Dr Fowlds added that public outrage and sympathy following previous incidents which have taken place in the province have been overwhelming. Rhino projects born out of the Eastern Cape are currently active in other parts of SA and even up in to Botswana. Dr Fowlds, through Investec Rhino Lifeline, Chipembere Rhino Foundation and the Wilderness Foundation’s Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative, which are all EC based projects, is busy supporting the recovery of four other survivors in the Hoedspruit area who were shot 3 weeks ago. Their treatment is on-going and is completely funded by these organisations and public support.
The official death toll in SA so far for 2013 stands at 367 and projections indicate that the 2012 figure of 668 will be surpassed before the final quarter of 2013.

370, oh no. I can't take much more of this.

RP, I agree that horn has been stashed away for many years. Maybe I'm being cynical, but I can't help wondering how much of that horn has been pilfered over the years. Poachers are prepared to put their lives on the line to poach a rhino, how more tempting is it to steel horn from these cashes, where the result, if caught, is only a jail sentence.
We're talking about an end value of about R2,3 million for one 4kg horn

A suspect linked to one of the recent P/Kop operations was arrested y/day for possession of a .375 hunting rifle and ammo. (#SANParksIntelligence supported by #SAPS K-9 unit operation.

5 rhinos found poached at Botsalano Game Reserve today. 9 in total this month.

This month is only a day old !!!

Cry.

Please make sure you all sign the petition to be bound and hopefully recorded in court proceedings -http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/NO_BAI ... eZcb&pv=18

PennyinSA wrote:Please make sure you all sign the petition to be bound and hopefully recorded in court proceedings -http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/NO_BAI ... eZcb&pv=18

signed

Amoli wrote:This month is only a day old !!!

Cry.

Sorry Amoli.
Forgot that it is June now.
It is from May.