Rhino Release!

November 27, We went along for the release of the rhino that was captured while Shawna was here. So they put a radio transmitter in his horn so that they can keep track of him because they released him outside of the protected sanctuary, but still inside the park.So in order to put in the device they actually drill a hole into its horn. The horn has a woody feel to it and it is made of the same stuff as our fingernails, only alot stronger. So here is the doctor drilling.


He also has to do the tip...


This is what is needed to fit the device...


This is what the device looks like


tape to keep all the dust and dirt out while the next step is prepared.


Freshly mixed acrylic is then used to seal it in.





The best way to monitor a drugged rhino is to stick your finger up his nose so that you can feel his breathing.


Once they got him to the release location they also clipped his ear in order to decifer from a distance which rhino the trackers are looking at.


The sausage tree is one of the rhinos favorite to eat so they found an area with lots of them. See all the spectators?


The area he was released to...


Other food rhinos like are these cut from what we call the cactus tree (euphorbia). It is actually quite dangerous to humans, if you get the milky, sticky white stuff in your eyes you can go blind!


The people who helped and came along...


The gal is the vet who stayed with the rhino while he was in captivity to monitor him.


Yesterday we talked to the trackers who went to find and check on him. I guess because the bush is so thick and the rhino so far from where he was released they had to climb a few trees with the radio reciever device. The rhino had headed back towads the sanctuary, 5 kilometers he walked. We are hoping he will come across the fence to the sanctuary and just be happy staying near it. We hope he does not try to reenter the sanctuary for his own safety. The trackers will continue to monitor him for two weeks or so until it looks as if he has settled down somewhere. We hope to go out with them one of these days and get some photos of this guy awake!