The Schotia Game Reserve – approximately 50 kilometres outside Port Elizabeth – reported today on the poaching of two rhino on the reserve. It is not clear when the poaching occurred as both animals could not be located for more than a day leading up to their being located, late yesterday afternoon of the 30 May.
The bull, known as Clyde, was discovered first, heavily drugged and in a state of shock. An initial search for Bonnie, the female, proved fruitless and it was feared that she would be found dead.
Schotia immediately called for the veterinary assistance of Dr William Fowlds, of Investec Rhino Lifeline, who arrived supported by the helicopter services of Grant Soule of Aptrac. A short while later Bonnie, was found, very dazed in thick bush.
Both rhino were treated by Dr Fowlds and we can report that they have survived the night and have been located alive this morning.
Dr Fowlds said, “Both these rhino are extremely fortunate to be alive. It is suspected that they were darted by the poachers. Treatment of their damaged horn bases is expected to be successful but what is uncertain at this stage is how much internal trauma they have sustained due to the extended period they would have lain under potent anaesthetic drugs. In previous cases this has led to death weeks and sometimes months later. Both rhino have some trauma to their eyes which is being monitored. Blood samples have been sent to Cape Town in an effort to assess the degree of internal complications.”
This incident is the first poaching incident to take place in the EC in 2013 and is a grim reminder that poachers are still very active in the area. More than half the rhino poached in the Eastern Cape have been darted indicating the very organised and well planned nature of these criminal attacks.
It is very unlikely that well organised crimes of this nature can take place without the knowledge of people in Eastern Cape communities and so we appeal to the public to please come forward with information to assist in stopping this devastation of these national treasures.
Dr Fowlds added that public outrage and sympathy following previous incidents which have taken place in the province have been overwhelming. Rhino projects born out of the Eastern Cape are currently active in other parts of SA and even up in to Botswana. Dr Fowlds, through Investec Rhino Lifeline, Chipembere Rhino Foundation and the Wilderness Foundation’s Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative, which are all EC based projects, is busy supporting the recovery of four other survivors in the Hoedspruit area who were shot 3 weeks ago. Their treatment is on-going and is completely funded by these organisations and public support.
The official death toll in SA so far for 2013 stands at 367 and projections indicate that the 2012 figure of 668 will be surpassed before the final quarter of 2013.
Alan Straton
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