Kariega Rhino Update Saturday 31 March 2012

Kariega Rhino: UPDATE SATURDAY 31 MARCH 2012 09H00

Dr Fowls sent us the following. This was written last night after his day in the field: Thank you Dr Fowlds.

"Today I spent a wonderful hour “walking with dinosaurs”, well crawling actually. I needed to confirm for myself the status of Thandi’s face and in particular her exposed sinuses, which the monitoring team have been reporting on so diligently. Mike pho...ned to say she was with the others in a fairly good area amongst patchy bush so I rushed down there and after 45 minutes of tense manoeuvring I stood a short distance from these magnificent beasts.

What a privilege it is to be a part of their world even for a brief moment, my heart pounding as the adrenalin of this thrilling moment pumped life into every artery. Breathtaking moments to cherish and motivate even the most weathered soul.

To see Thandi up close again, to hear her breathe and make her quiet huffs and mews as she interacted with the other rhino, was simply breathtaking. I had to fight down the swells of emotion that pushed up from within, tossing my feelings between peaks of delight and troughs of shame. By rights, human and animal, there should be so much to savour in moments like these. Undetected, in a space of rare privilege, I crouched in the presence of these giants. For a long while, as I waited for Thandi to stand up, I considered this predicament. A servant keeper, sent to that place by the concern of ten thousand or more to report on the progress of just one of the most magnificent creatures alive on this planet. The joy of the moment could have been there for the taking but the reason for being there denied all that. One day I shall return.

Her body condition is holding well, and she is moving well, apparently eating well and showing some signs of psychological recovery in that she is slowly, very slowly, increasing her amount of normal behaviour. We actually don’t know what she must feel inside, we can only wonder. She does have some signs that her facial wounds worry her. She has been doing quite a bit of rubbing on both sides of her head as well as the front part of her face above her lip. This is evident in the red soil marks over these areas. I am not sure if this is her response to the pain, the “itch” of healing or the irritation of infection. Her exposed sinuses have accumulated a lot of debris to the point now that they are almost completely occluded. She has a small trickle of milky mucous running from both sinuses with the left side looking slightly whiter which could indicate some infection now in there. It doesn’t appear to be severe enough to justify an immediate treatment so we have scheduled her immobilisation for 4 days time. The skin all around her gaping holes appears to be granulating well but it is impossible to assess the state of her bone tissues under all that debris and scab-like tissue build up.

I was hoping to be able to confirm that her right eye, which had a small corneal injury still present at day 14, had healed up but I was not able to do that today so this will have to wait for a closer inspection. Her vision appears to be normal so we are hoping for a good report here. Themba’s eye injury never healed up during his struggle so this is an area of concern for survivors. Their eyes are either traumatised from rubbing on vegetation while they lie and struggle or, need I say it, in some cases the poachers actually hack at their eyes with pangas, we presume to blind them and make it more difficult for them to get away. The other callous act which is driven by the same motive, is that they chop off their ankle tendons and hack at their spines so that they cannot run away. No human!

We received some additional blood results back which, Prof Reyers suggested we investigate. The hope is build confidence in other reliable indicators of the status of muscle trauma in cases like these. This enzyme, LDH, was still 8 times higher than the normal range for Themba on day 23. On day 10 Thandi still had LDH levels which were four times the top end of the normal range and in her case very little liver damage to speak of. As more information like this comes through, and with the help of Prof Reyers, we start making sense of these findings and looking out for indications of problems.

Certainly, on the value of these tests, Thandi appears to have suffered more damage to muscle than what she was letting on. Her next blood tests will hopefully confirm good recovery in this area. In relation to Thandi, and future survivors, being able to run every possible test we think could provide relevant information during their recovery stages, will greatly improve our level of understanding.
These tests are expensive and amount to a substantial amount when added up over time. IDEXX, the lab we have been using, have been as moved as we all are by their story and have committed full lab support for Themba and Thandi as well as covering their costs.

This is yet another inspiring example of how people and companies are getting behind this fight by giving freely whatever they can, because so many really, really care. Apart from the many generous donations which have off-set some of the veterinary costs, we have had donations in expertise and hands-on assistance from many areas. To name but a few to emphasise the point, Prof Reyers in clinical pathology, Paul Mills in recording so much of this in broadcast quality footage, Grant Soule and Warne Rippon for helicopter support whenever we needed it, many Kariega volunteers as well as a growing team of specialist surgeons in Dr’s Steenkamp, Marias and Lamont. From afar Larry Witmer and his team from Ohio who have been funnelling in some amazing images to help our understanding of the anatomical damage using CT scan data and hi-tech imaging, and the list grows almost daily.

People in press and media, conservationists like Braam Malherbe, poets, sculpters, NGO’s and rhino activists all pouring passionate commitment into this process. Then there are the comments and messages constantly pouring into the Kariega facebook and twitter portals reminding us how much you all care. You have no idea how uplifting this all is for those of us that are at the coal face of this battle. Some days I don’t know how to even begin to start as I sit down to write the next update. My heart is battered and I feel completely drained by human savagery and animal agony.

Then I start to read your comments and one after the other, without one single exception, your adoration for these rhino and your admiration for that whole human effort that we refer to as the Kariega team, because it is, starts to pick me up and carry me on. I know that every single one of the team feel the same way. It is energising and inspirational. I hear of folks who had grown weary and despondent after years in the trenches who now are rejuvenated by your actions and kind words. Suddenly, there is a new wave of enthusiasm out there as their screams of anger and frustration which went out unanswered into a dark world, come bouncing back amplified now by the swelling ranks of determination shouting “WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH”.

I have students, teachers and school kids coming up with their own special ways of adding momentum to this growing wave of desire to declare what is unacceptable and actively change the current tragic status of rhino.

I am currently a witness to a phenomenon which is building all around us, growing daily from a swell to a small tidal wave but with the potential to become a tsunami. As we each do out our small bit each day, one step in front of the other, we feed off passion of those on either side of us carrying each other forward. Oh wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could flood this story into every aspect of society, opening the world’s eyes to this tragedy, changing the hearts of all humanity to appreciate and desire to always have the privilege and the opportunity of spending time at the feet of these giants. Because its at places like this, that we find food for our souls. What price, what value can we place on this? How much are we prepared to give of ourselves to save this for our own sakes and those who we love?"

Kariega rhino update - Pictures of Thandi taken today 30 March 2012

Pictures of Thandi taken today at Kariega Game Reserve

Kariega rhino update Friday 30 March 2012

Kariega rhino: UPDATE FRIDAY 30 MARCH 2012 08H00

We received the following from Dr Fowlds.

"Even though our hands-on rhino time on Kariega has been dramatically reduced since the passing of Themba, the level of intensity that this whole operation generates is as high as ever. With only one living survivor left, Thandi’s future well-being has become an even greater priority than I thought possible. We knew she was special, we know she is a walking miracle but your beautiful comments and praises for this special young lady of the wild have emphasised just how precious she has become in the eyes of all those who follow her progress.

For the Kariega team this translates into even more responsibility as the pressures of success are tangible, the prospects of failure unthinkable. There can be no doubt that everyone on the team embraces this as an absolute privilege to keep this one alive and make her better.

Off the back of an exhausting week, trying to process the death of Themba and making sure we don’t lose focus of Thandi’s needs, I have been busy expanding our support base as we move into the next phase of Thandi’s care. The foundation for her future well-being is to get her as strong as possible. We are trying to schedule as little anaesthetic time as we can into her treatment plan over the next few weeks as she may well face long hours of surgical anaesthetics if we get to that point later.

In terms of her general progress, Thandi seems to be a little less stressed than she has been. She is spending slightly more time in the open areas again although a far cry from her pre-poaching days. We have not wanted to harass her so as far as we can ascertain she appears to be maintaining steady progress. The substantial amount of information we have learned from Themba continues to breathe life into the road ahead for Thandi. We have started receiving the first of the additional blood tests suggested by Prof Reyers which analyse more detail of their serum proteins through a process called electrophoresis, hence the term serum protein electrophoresis (SPE for future reference). We don’t yet have enough results to be able to draw useful conclusions but having the benefit of two cases in Themba and Thandi will assist us a lot in learning by comparison.

Their story is inspiring such an incredibly generous spirit, that offers of assistance have flowed freely. We have started to expand on the surgical team which will collaborate and consider if there is something that can be done for her face. It is quite clear that surgical options will not be as straight forward as what we would like to believe as we are, after all, helping a wild animal who lives in a very harsh environment for the purposes of post-surgical recovery. Part of this consideration is to research every known survivor and their injuries in an attempt to weigh up the possible benefits of surgery against the risks which could be involved.


Every additional team member we bring into this process is in this fight for the long haul and even at planning stages, we are trying our best to incorporate a long term strategy that will benefit future rhino under these circumstances.

Official poaching stats released this week (reflecting last week) have reached 146 for 2012, a staggering 1.7 rhino per day. The figures threaten to overwhelm us and sweep us into a state of despair. The fear of where this is heading could quite easily paralyse us if we don’t remain focused on that which we are able to do. In this war, being fought on so many sides, the most important thing is for each one of us to take care of our portion of the frontline; our sphere of influence, our network, our colleagues and our friends. This is where we will be most effective; this is our area of responsibility, something small every day.


Yesterday I did two more rhino presentations to children from 9 years old to folks in their seventies. Without exception, everyone is moved by the story of Themba and Thandi and the amazing revelation has been how everyone is able and inspired to play and active role in this fight. I feel the connection at so many age levels to their desperate struggle and people are starting to generate imaginative ways to express that connection and convert emotion into tangible action.

It is so encouraging to see the story of Themba, so desperately tragic in every way, germinate a desire to make a difference and turn this scourge around. I have yet to understand the full prophetic meaning in his name, Themba (HOPE). Could the hope that his name speaks of possibly lie not so much in who he was in his life, but what his life and death will inspire in you and me in the context of this crisis.

Maybe our response to his valiant struggle draws us out from the shadows of complacency and into the reality of our day. That reality speaks of lawlessness, greed and disregard for life. For now these monsters feed on the rhino. Beyond that will come elephant, tigers, polar bears and gorillas along with many others. Each death, each statistic, convincing us that we are too insignificant to do something about it. Each extinction crushing our hope until we too are dead inside.

Maybe, the hope of Themba is revealed as we see dormant seeds germinate into inspired action all around us and in turn inspiring us to draw from the courage which he exemplified.

I have started to witness this for myself in the past few days and this gives me great hope. As his story, like his name, gets spread by you from one person to the next around this world, that vital spirit, HOPE, lives on."


WE SALUTE YOU DR WILLIAM FOWLDS!

Kariega rhino update Thursday 29 March 2012

Kariega rhino: UPDATE THURSDAY 29 MARCH 2012 20H30

Thandi was sighted by the monitoring team early this morning, but since then she has retreated in to the thick bush. She appeared to be moving well.

We have been in Telephonic contact with Dr Fowlds. He will be assesing her in the next couple of Days in more detail.

... ... Just a reminder we will be at the KKNK festival in Oudtshoorn from Saturday 31 March 2012.

We will post shortly an image of One of the posters we have created to put up at the festival, which is a tribute to all of you out there that SHARE our story accross the world, ensuring that we can indeed make a difference and save this wonderful species!


Thank you once again!

Kariega rhino update Wednesday 28 March 2012

Kariega Rhino: UPDATE WEDNESDAY 28 MARCH 2012 22H40


Thandi is still active and moving around with her companions! We will post a more in depth update tomorrow morning.

Once again we thank you for your support!

SHARING IS CARING!!!

Latest picture of Thandi - Kariega Rhino update

Latest picture of Thandi taken yesterday 27 March  by Kariega rangers

Kariega Rhino update Tueday 27 March

Kariega update Tuesday 27 March 11pm

As we direct all our energy into the care of Thandi, the tributes to Themba and the wonderful Kariega team just pour in. We are completely overwhelmed by the comments we have received and I must hasten to add here how important it is to realise that I am just one of many dedicated people who have thrown themselves selflessly at this task. In fact I only spend a fraction of my time on Kariega compared to the rest of the team. Most of what I do for these rhino is on the phone and behind a laptop, something all of you are able to do too.

Kariega rangers sent me fresh images of Thandi today which are packed with information that is very valuable in our planning for the next phase of treatment. We are processing the information we have learned from Themba, including blood samples which were taken less than 24 hours before he died as this tells us so much about what we need to be modifying in Thandi's treatment plan. For example, the extent of muscle damage across the left side of Themba is very likely to have been mirrored in Thandi as she too lay for as long on her left side, possibly taking even more pressure on her ribs as we look back on the video images of day 1. It still amazes me, as I look at her most recent photo. What a walking miracle she is.

Comparative blood tests from Day 9, which give us an idea of acute muscle damage showed that Themba had a reading of 7715 (normal range between 60-1074) as against Thandi who had a reading of 1212. Both of these would have been higher than this in the days leading up to these tests.

Each blood sample taken had 31 different tests processed from it as well as other microscopic evaluations but in spite of this information, combined with observation, visual and photographic interpretations and hands on evaluation when we could, there were gaps in the information required to accurately assess everything. The challenge now is to find additional means to tell us what really goes on under that thick skin so that we can improve the chances of getting survivors back to health or end their suffering confident that they would not have made it even if we tried.

So, in spite of Themba's passing, we still continue to learn from him as his serum samples have been sent away for electrophoresis (CZE). Prof Reyers is going to continue assisting us with his vast experience in clinical pathology and Themba will be the yard sick against which we measure Thandi's parameters now that we understand the full extent of his injuries.

Des who is assisting Kariega with social media, posted official stats yesterday, provided by facebook, showing that through this channel alone over 45 000 people have followed the tragedy of Themba and Thandi. What is staggering is that if every one of us who have followed this story, shared it with all our facebook friends, we would potentially reach over 900 000 people. Many people ask me how they can make a difference in this war to save the rhino. My answer is always, awareness comes first, then worry about the rest.

The story of three precious rhino who enjoyed life side by side in the green grass of paradise. Three of God's creation who's bond with one another allowed poachers to butcher them one after the other. Three magnificent rhino with three very different stories. Who among us, will give up just a fraction of our day to expose their story to the world. Even one more minute to post/forward/share or comment in honour of what they have gone through.

These three victims have given us new ammunition to use in fighting this war. Ammunition which we choose to use passively, but which will change minds effectively. Our hearts and minds have been impacted by the reality of

their suffering. In a war fought on many fronts, YOU have the ability to make an impact in the battle to win over the hearts and minds of inconsiderate man.

As you read this remember you have the same tools in your hands as I have tonight. You may not be making the bullets but you certainly have the ability to fire the guns. Will fowlds