MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Imagine You are Blind and Alone in the African Bush

By

Like Munu – the Blind Black Rhino.

Munu was moved to his new home at Founder’s Lodge on Monday, 5th August 2019. Adrian Gardiner, Chairman of Mantis and board member of The White Lion Foundation and Brett Barlow (Munu’s legal guardian) welcomed the rest of the TWLF’s Executive Board Members, Shirley Galligan and Wildlife Vet Dr John Knight along with SANParks, for the long-awaited and carefully planned move from his temporary boma to his new spacious home for life.

“Founders Lodge by Mantis thanks The White Lion Foundation for financing the enclosure for Munu the Rhino. We are very proud to adopt Munu, and thank SANParks for the support they have provided during the move and transportation. Munu will have around the clock security and care at Founder’s Lodge. We hope to introduce a mate soon so that we can see offspring of this endangered species” said Adrian Gardiner, Executive Chairman of Mantis Collection, and owner of Founder’s Lodge by Mantis.

All the care taken to create a replica of the boma he lived in for the past eight months has paid off. He arrived at Founder’s and went straight to the water – completely at ease ‘knowing’ where everything was. Munu’s private security and care team let him out to explore the natural bush around his enclosure; this was Munu’s first natural forage in eight months, and once he realised the bushes were alive he ate for 13 hours straight.

Like a special needs child, this blind rhino is protected in an adapted environment where can live a life that is as wild as possible. Munu’s contribution to the preservation of his species, research, and conservation education will be an important part of the Eco-Innovation Hub that Mantis will launch at Founder’s Lodge in 2020. The quality of life Munu has now will ensure that he will live for many more years.

Rhino expert and TWLF Director Brett Barlow, describes Munu’s friendly character: “Munu communicates with his carers by a series of high-pitched squeaks. His favourite food is called Noorsdoring, (Euphorbia Coerulescens) a thorny succulent which is poisonous to most animals.  This is the black rhino equivalent of chocolate.” Learn more about Munu on his dedicated website.

The White Lion Foundation, Directed by Brett Barlow’ has been instrumental in putting in place successful intervention in specific cases where endangered species are under threat. The Foundation urgently needs to raise the necessary funding to provide Munu and eventually his family with a lifetime of specialised care, which could cost in the region of £50,000.

TWLF’s Shirley Galligan said: “This story is a wonderful collaboration between like-minded professionals who have a passion and commitment to the conservation of rhino. We want to thank everyone for their ongoing support for this humane and ground-breaking project.”

The following two tabs change content below.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy Google+ profileMy LinkedIn profileMy Flickr profileMy Pinterest profile

Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.