Kariega Rhino update - MONDAY 5 MARCH 11:50 AM

"Monday morning we flew with the chopper, found the female and immobilised her. Her body appears to be recovering well but her facial injuries are worse than they appear from a distance. There is an area 30cm long and 15cm wide of exposed hacked skull and gaping holes into the underlying sinuses. The infection has already set in and maggots have started in the crevices left behind by the panga lesions. We cut away as much dead tissue as possible but there is still an area of bony tissue that will need removing probably at a later stage. An application of medical tar will sort the maggots out but there is a long road ahead for this poor lady. Her fighting spirit is humbling to witness as her face depicts such utter shame on humanity. The whole team were deeply moved by this horrendous experience and the bravery if this soul.

The bulls state is not good. For the first time we were able to do a hands on evaluation of his leg. The only thing standing between life and death is that he is placing his foot when he walks as apposed to dragging it as he was yesterday. There is some blood getting through to his foot but there are large areas of his left back leg that have little or no blood supply. Over all the swelling is slightly improved. We have applied a full dose of anti-inflammatories and a broad spectrum antibiotic as well as supportive treatment to his face, vitamins and fluids. It was heartbreaking to see him struggling to his feet as the anaesthetic drugs reversed, knowing that he still has so much to endure. A decision to euthanase him was considered but has been delayed on the strength of some positives and a clear will to live. His life, sadly hangs in the balance. "

Everyone here at Kariega Game Reserve appreciates your support. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Kariega Rhino Update - UPDATE MONDAY 5 MARCH 8 AM

We are currently launching a Helicopter with Dr Fowlds to dart the Female Rhino to enable him to dart her and perform an in depth treatment procedure. Thereafter we will attend to the male. We will post during the day once we have a full diagnosis of the two.

Thank you for your support!

Kariega Rhino update - Sunday 4 March 2012 at 5pm

Kariega male survivor appears to be in a lot pain this afternoon. He has moved off to a position where the terrain makes safe top up treatment very risky. Hoping he will keep moving away from this area this evening so we can administer more drugs. His leg swelling appears to be deteriorating which is not good news.
The female has not been seen today but we plan on doing a scheduled procedure in the morning to evaluate and treat her. Will Fowlds

Kariega Rhino update - Sunday, 4 March 2012 at 8am

News from Kariega team. My heart leaps at very encouraging news firstly that they found the female in the night grazing in the open. Another small victory is the male have moved about 250 meters since 11pm and is grazing this morning. He leg is still in the same state so we are still very concerned for his future but this is the first positive news we have so we take it with both hands.
Will Fowlds

Kariega Rhino Update - Saturday 3 March 2012 at 23h00

News from Kariega team is that situation with male remains unchanged. He is still responsive and able to move around. No sign of female as yet. In morning ground team will use JCB and new pipe-line to turn wallow into a waterhole for him.  He spends most of his time standing in the mud. We assume the coolness of it must be soothing for him.  Will Fowlds

Kariega Rhino update Saturday, 3 March 2012 at 4pm

Male rhino leg swelling has deteriorated and he is not using it at all now. We have administered antibiotics and more anti-inflammatories using drop out darts this morning. He is not eating or drinking yet.
The female was not found this morning after a morning of searching on foot. A helicopter was offered by Warne Rippon to assist with an aerial search but she has still not been seen today. Temperature on the ground is over 35 degrees C so we suspect she is lying up under thicket canopy. Not being able to confirm her status is a concern and the search continues.

Kariega Game Reserve, Eastern Cape - 3 Rhino poached

Kariega Game Reserve, Eastern Cape

Update: Saturday 3^rd March 8am

3 rhino poached on during the night of 1^st or early morning of 2^nd March within 200 meters of the tar road 400 meters in site of an owners house. All darted, one dead and 2 survived the poaching. Both responded to opioid reversal and got up. The bull has pressure necrosis of his left hind leg from lying on it and poor blood pressure during down time (blood loss and shock also contribute here). He is the most serious and his leg and other internal damage make his prognosis very guarded.

The female was able to run away from us by the end of the day and is using all four legs well. Her chances seem better. All 3 rhinos horns were removed with pangas/axes. The dead bull possibly had deeper gashes but there were signs of him being alive after the hacking. The facial injuries I believe are treatable if their bodies can make it through the trauma, even though the gashes extend into the sinuses in places. There will be infection/fly strike and other complications ahead and the decision to keep them alive is not an easy one as they face weeks of suffering at the least, with no guarantee of survival.

Both survived the 1^st 24 hours and have moved a few hundred meters in the night. Hopefully a positive sign. Please give the Kariega team all the support you can. They are hurting and desperately trying to salvage something from this horrendous situation.