About the Author

James Tyrrell

Alumni

James had hardly touched a camera when he came to Londolozi, but his writing skills that complemented his Honours degree in Zoology meant that he was quickly snapped up by the Londolozi blog team. An environment rich in photographers helped him develop the ...

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23 Comments

on World Wildlife Day: Helping Rhinos

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Marinda Drake
Master Tracker

I am passionate about rhino conservation. I am all for rescueing and treating rhino as they are such an endangered species. It will be a sad day when we and future generations can’t view a rhino in the wild. Great work Londolozi.

Annie.Lane07
Explorer

Awesome job people. Absolute respect 👍♥️

Vin Beni
Master Tracker

Difficult philosophical decision by the Vartys. Personally glad they were not totally rigid with their non-intervention practice in this instance. Need to be wary of the slippery slope, however. (My first encounter with this philosophy was when we saw over multiple days a cheetah with a gaping wound on its rear leg.}
Hope we can get an update on the rhino’s status.

James Tyrrell
Alumni

Hi Vin,
Was this the female cheetah in 2013/2014? I forget which year…
If I remember correctly, in that case the female’s wound was far more superficial than it appeared. I personally watched her chase down and kill an adult impala ram only 48 hours after she received he injury. Apparently the tranquilizing of big cats can carry with it serious risk, and there have been multiple cases in which they simply don’t wake up again.
Once they have been brought round again if the treatment goes well, someone has to remain with them for a 24hr+ period in order to make sure no other predators come near her as she may still be groggy from the after-effects of the tranquilizer (cheetahs are at the bottom of the pecking order so are very vulnerable, but as you can imagine this isn’t such a problem with an adult rhino bull).
Since she seemed to be hunting fine and managing to take care of not only her and her cubs, the decision was taken not to intervene and bring increased risk to what appeared to be more of a benign situation than initially thought…
When are you and Michelle back for another visit?
Best,
James

Vin Beni
Master Tracker

James–it was 2013–our first morning game drive. Two days later we saw her stalk and take down an impale–a riveting one hour experience. It was incredible! She then brought over her 2 cubs to finish the kill and eat. (Might have been the same kill that you saw. We were with Trevor.)
We return in July 2021 (#5).

James Tyrrell
Alumni

Yip, that must have been the sighting, as I remember Trevor being there too! Amazing!
Look forward to seeing you next year!

Brian Everitt
Digital Ranger

Awesome job everyone thank you for helping. I was lucky enough to witness and participate with the Maasai Mara vet team helping an injured lioness the experience was absolutely incredible nowadays we need to help these animals for our future. Thank you

Dave Mills
Senior Digital Ranger

Wonderful. Thanks to all. Can’t say it enough: Londolozi’s people are the best

Joan Schmiidt
Master Tracker

James, I am passionate about rhino conservation – I love the rhino – they are such an endangered species.
Great work for Londolozi, saving a rhino and putting him back in the bush

Karen Taylor
Explorer

What a wonderful story and so pleased to see the rhino treated, we can’t afford to loose any more rhinos!

Karen Hart
Senior Digital Ranger

thank you for all you do to safe guard wildlife and to educate all.

Joanne Lofthouse
Digital Tracker

Thanks so much intervening to help this magnificent animal!!

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

Conservation is as important as ever given climate change and poaching of the most endangered species. Saving just one can hopefully insure that there’s an opportunity for the birth of one, or more depending on the species. Kudos to the staff of Londolozi for speaking out after seeing the plight of the bull rhino. I will never forget the sight of a juvenile male Mhagene Lion, laying injured and being told no aid would be forthcoming- it’s nature at its rawest. Intellectually I know this is true, but a gut wrenching moment anyway. Thank you for this post.

Doug Hammerich
Digital Tracker

How inspiring to see humans intervening to help the wounded rhino. I love seeing stuff like this! Thank you to all involved.

Mary Beth Wheeler
Master Tracker

Excellent decision to help this rhino! Hope he continues to heal without incident. Perfect way to celebrate World Wildlife Day.

Judith Guffey
Digital Tracker

Mahalo for doing this even though it’s not the usual policy of non-intervention. Rhinos need to be saved.

Mark Polis, M.D.
Explorer

You folks are beyond wonderful. I follow your blog closely and this story was so incredibly heartening. Thank you.

Susan Strauss
Digital Tracker

How beautiful that the rhino, in his time of need, came near the Londolozi camp…as if he knew he would be cared for by the protectors of all living things. (I believe he knew that 100%).

Jen Lum
Senior Digital Ranger

You people are amazing. Your knowledge and passion goes beyond the heart.
Namaste!

Leonie De Young
Master Tracker

Well, what a fantastic way to celebrate World Wildlife Day. A great big thank you to all of those involved in helping this magnificent animal of which very few are left in the wild. You all rock. Thanks James for sharing this with us, someone was peeling onions while I was reading this blog.

Andrew and Daniel Bolnick
Digital Tracker

Great work everyone

Wendy Macnicol
Digital Tracker

Wonderful job by everyone concerned. I am sure this particular bull rhino will continue his life and his work generating future calves! Thank you Londolozi staff and all concerned! Wendy M

Well done! Congratulations and thank you for the very wise decision. Best wishes for a promt recovery.

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