Saving the Rhino
The Insane Desire for Rhino Horn and How One Beautiful Rhino Survived the Insanity
A recent visit to South Africa greatly affected me. Taking the time to traverse with rangers and learn about animals that most of us only see in books or movies IS awe-inspiring. You behold the natural and splendid existence of giraffe, lions, wildebeest, antelope, hippos, elephants, warthogs, ostrich, baboons and rhinos. You are moved beyond expectation and immediately fall in love with a magical land and its magical inhabitants. Their lives, however, aren’t always magical nor natural.
I will never comprehend a person’s emotional need to demonstrate what they believe is a lavish skill to destroy a majestic animal for trophy or sport. However, there is another deep-seated, unproven thought that the slaughtering of animals is worthy of keratin…yes, keratin. That is why rhinos are slaughtered. That’s it...and the dirty, black market has made it seem lucrative.
When I was in South Africa visiting the Kariega Game Reserve, there was a sad (yet amazing) story of plunder and survival. In 2012, three lovely rhinos had been poached for their horns. One did not survive the experience. Two others, Thandi and Themba were still alive and in need of care. With the amazing guidance of local veterinarians and Kariega staff, Thandi and Themba struggled with their severe wounds. Sadly, Themba, did not survive the brutality; but, miraculously, Thandi managed to survive in spite of the odds with her entire nasal passage exposed from the savage hacking of her horn.
Not only did she survive, she eventually amazed and inspired everyone who is passionate about this cause with giving birth in 2015 to Thembi, a beautiful bouncing baby. I was privileged enough to witness mother and baby and take this photo. I didn’t even comprehend, at the time, how miraculous this was. But, I do now. That is why I’m sharing.
I have included a video link to show what happens to these beautiful creatures. It is not grotesque, but it is heart-wrenching. I am believing that awareness matters.
Also, here is a tribute to Themba who survived for a while but was found deceased due to his wounds. https://youtu.be/tVLBsCFbAOU
