Thursday, October 21, 2010


RHINO DARTING October 2010
Our children's favourite description of things they love doing and eating, is 'awesome'. Be it a day spent at the riding stables, getting to pick out a chocolate donut at the bakery, watching their Jack Russell 'Jock' perform aerial stunts or simply a gorgeous sunset. 'Awesome' reached new dimensions recently however when our girls were privy to our rhino conservation activities:
As private white rhino owners, the responsibility lies on our shoulders to put every effort in place to protect our rhino amidst the increased poaching activity that threaten these iconic mammals.
With the expertise of renowned wildlife vet, Dr. Peter Brothers and his team from Brothers Safaris, we identified a young male on the reserve for ear notching (helps with field identification), DNA/blood sample collection and neck and horn micro-chipping for security measures.
The rhino was darted from the helicopter and when immobilized, the team came in. Monitoring breathing and heart rate is crucial whilst the animal is down. The entire procedure went smoothly and within minutes of the reversal drug being administered, he slowly stood up wondering what had just happened!
The HillsNek team continued to monitor him throughout the days that followed and were happy to report that his recovery was perfect.
It's not often that a 6 and 8 year old get to touch a White Rhino, feel his rough leathery skin, hold his horn and hear his every breath. I know it was beyond 'awesome' for them, as it was for me. Even better yet, the lessons being taught early on about what it takes to conserve and protect this incredible animal are immeasurable. No doubt news time at school on Monday morning highlighted the excitement of the day's events, and the story of conserving and caring got passed on to hopefully another 40 children in their combined classes. And so awareness is created and we teach our children from a young age the vital lesson of preserving our natural heritage for their children to one day enjoy.
For nature is indeed nothing short of 'awesome'!!!

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