For the first time since this horrendous ordeal began,
Themba showed us some real signs of progress this afternoon. He is much more
alert than he has been and although he is still not taking weight on his leg,
he gave us a good rev when we tried to assess his condition at close range. It
was wonderful! We had planned to treat him today so he would have a 2 day break
before his next surgery session. However,
after finding him in a well grassed hollow next to a water hole that he
has been drinking from we decided to let him be just as he is. He passed a good amount of dung which
confirms he is eating something but I am still not convinced its enough. He has
plastered his face full of mud so that the holes into his head are completely
blocked by mud today.
In an effort to try show you the extent of the damage to
his skull Larry Witmer from WitmerLab at Ohio University has produced an
amazing graphic for us with the help of his assistant Ryan Ridgely. I had seen
some of Larry's work in a rhino paper before and when I approached him he
responded instantly to my request for help. His whole lab have got behind this
story which we are very grateful for. I will be posting more of his images in
subsequent reports as they highlight the extent of the complications that these
animals are facing. You will see from the diagram that the poachers have hacked
through his skull and into the cavity below which is in turn connected to a
labyrinth of passages and air spaces inside his skull. Let's pray that Thembas
noticeable improvement today keeps on moving in the right direction.
Thandi continues to be very mobile and isn't showing
herself much but all indications remain positive for her apart from her face
which we know will be a long, drawn out recovery.
We will
do all we can to try and prevent complications for them and we so appreciate
the growing army of caring rhino campaigners out there who have shown support
for these two magnificent ambassadors of the living dinosaurs. We cannot be the
generation that is responsible for their extinction. It is simply NOT and
option. Will fowlds
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