Kariega Rhino Update - Friday 16 March, 17h00

Thandi had joined up with the other rhino again by late yesterday so doesn't appear
to have been outwardly affected by her procedure. The monitoring team report that
Themba has moved away from his hollow and has been grazing well on the edge of  the
thicket line. He passed dung and has had water during the past 24 hours. These
parameters were what we were worried about in the two days leading up to yesterdays
procedures so are positive signs. The pain killers we gave him yesterday will be
wearing off now and we don't want to give him more unless we absolutely have to. All
the indications based on his condition under anaesthetic  were that his system is
very run down, his blood pressure was low and I am very worried about the capacity
of his vital organs to handle the battering they are taking.  The next 24 hours
should give us an indication if he is able to sustain himself without
anti-inflammatory/pain killers. If
his eating and activity reduce we will have to go back onto
them at the risk of damage, especially his kidneys.

We continue to source as much input from other vets regarding the best way forward
for them. I have have consulted daily with different vets who have had experience of
rhino wounds which is highly valued from a professional point of view.  The other
noticeable aspect of the process so far is how much it is affecting people from all
over the world with skills and experience not usually utilised by vets in the field.
This has been a very humbling experience as it brings home the importance of these
beautiful animals  and the way they have crept into peoples hearts. 

As Thandi appears to have turned the corner, we are starting to build on a
treatment plan to try and re-construct her face as much as possible. At this stage
it seems impossible to establish a full skin cover over her facial
wounds but I can promise we will do everything we can to give her the best possible
chance of doing so. As mentioned before much of this is new territory in the
treatment of rhino and we will consider every avenue we can
think of. We have already had Dr Glynn Catton arrange for an artificial skin product
to be sent down to us in the hope that it can make a difference
during the healing process.   This coming week a human re-constructive surgeon, Dr
Alistair Lamont has offered to fly up from Cape Town to consider their condition and
start applying his mind to what could possibly be done during the months ahead. 
Given the extensive experience that surgeons have in re-habilitating human
injuries, I expect to be able to learn much from shared knowledge for Themba and
Thandi and for the benefit of future victims of these poaching atrocities. 
The contrast between what man is capable of in terms of both pain and wellfare is
staggering. It is a sobering reminder of the power we possess in the choices we
make. We have been given custodianship over all species on this planet. Our legacy
lies entrenched in whether we choose to turn a blind eye to this level of suffering
or whether we choose to do something about it. You, like me, have a choices to make.
Will fowlds