16/07/2025
A few months ago we were called out for a rhino cow that was shot. Against the odds, the rhino survived and managed to escape the scene. When we got to her, Dr Ulf used a practice arrow to trace the bullet’s path: it had entered behind the right ear and exited between the ears at front of her head. She was incredibly fortunate, had it been just five centimeters lower, the outcome could have been devastating!
The impact of the bullet caused extensive damage to the temporal muscles in the front of her face. The necrotic tissue was carefully debrided, and the wounds were flushed and cleaned. She received long-acting antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and supportive vitamins, and was moved to a small camp to recover under close observation.
A week later we immobilized her again for a follow-up treatment. The wounds showed significant improvement, though healing remained a slow process. We recently darted her again to dehorn her, and to check her wounds again. In tomorrow’s post we will share how she’s doing now.
🙏 We are incredibly grateful to Worth Wild Africa and their supporters for sponsoring the drugs and equipment needed for her care. This support makes it possible to provide the necessary care to our Namibian wildlife. Thank you – Baie dankie!
⚠️ This rhino’s story is one of survival, but sadly, many aren’t so fortunate. According to MEFT, 15 rhinos have already been poached this year in Namibia, although we suspect the real number is even higher. CITES, it is time to act, we need to open up the legal horn trade if we want to see free-roaming rhinos in Africa in future!! If you'd like to understand more about the challenges private rhino owners face and why we believe the ban on rhino horn trade must be stopped, please read and share this article:
https://tinyurl.com/Rhino-Conservation-Challenges
