Brutal attack on rhino shocks even the hardiest rangers
Brutal attack on rhino shocks even the hardiest rangers
Posted By:
ADVOCATE FOR SAVING DOGS™
Courtesy of Johnny Rodrigues – Chairman of Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force
April 2011. Game scouts reported a severely wounded black rhino wandering around Save Valley Conservancy. Rangers were despatched to locate the rhino and were met with a horrifying and gruesome sight. The rhino had been shot several times by poachers and the horns had been hacked out.
Left for dead
They left the rhino for dead but the poor animal regained consciousness and was found wandering around, obviously in agony. Most of the photos are just too disturbing to publish.
Still alive
Vets were called in and as the animal had managed to survive the savage attack and was still eating properly, they decided to try and save it. They darted it and administered masses of antibiotics in the hope that the horrific wound will heal.
Already dehorned
Also of great concern is the fact that this rhino had been dehorned last year and the poachers were not deterred by the fact that it had only a small stump of horn. It has been recorded in the past that poachers will still kill animals with no horns, so they don’t track them again. But in this case, the barbarity was carried out for the small remaining stump left over after dehorning.
Despite the obvious determination of the poachers, the authorities are reluctant to provide the conservators with suitable weaponry to protect these endangered animals.
ZCTF are truly heartbroken and devasted by this barbaric act.
To find out more, or to help them with their work, please click Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force
Please help them if you can.
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