Rhino Thandi and Family

Kariega Game Reserve was filled with the excited chatter of 26 youth from the outskirts of the Joe Slovo informal settlement in Cape Town over the weekend. The group visited with USA actor and film star Texas Battle and was fully sponsored by Kariega.

My first sight of Thandi and Tembi was a very moving experience, knowing all this brave rhino mom has been through. Mix this in with a huge dollop of joy at seeing her healthy little one suckling greedily while ma grazed away calmly and you find your emotions on a real rollercoaster.

Rhino warrior Angie Goody took these lovely photographs of Thandi and her young calf Thembi enjoying a mud bath recently. We share the pictures with you today in honour of this new young life, a symbol of hope in the fight against rhino poaching.

The international poetry anthology, For Rhino in a Shrinking World, is editor and poet Harry Owen’s attempt to raise awareness of the horror that is rhino poaching through the words of some of the world’s best and most generous-spirited poets. 

Angie Goody shares an update on Thembi, Thandi's miracle calf, who recently recovered from a respiratory tract infection.

Rozanne Visagie wrote and recorded a song in aid of rhino conservation after seeing the horrific images of Thandi and Themba. Read about her inspiring journey.

Rhino Thembi, our symbol of hope, is 3 months old today. She has been closely watched by Kariega intern Angie Goody. Read this delightful account of their first meeting and other encounters. "It has been an absolute honour and privilege to spend the last three months back at Kariega observing and documenting Thembi’s growth" says Angie.

Ayesha Cantor is the driving force behind Rhino Friday, the sharing of rhino related information via digital media each Friday. Find out how rhino conservationist Dr Ian Player, Thandi and her new calf Thembi inspire her.

It is fitting that our last story of how Thandi has inspired positive action is from wildlife vet Dr William Fowlds. Dr Fowlds was called on the morning of 2 March 2012 when our team found that three rhinos had been poached at Kariega. Since then he has shared the story of Thandi, Themba and Bull #84 around the world to generate awareness and raise funds for the protection and conservation of rhino. We are grateful to work with this kind, talented and passionate man.

Since 2012 the Reserve Protection Agency (RPA) has raised over R10,000,000 for conservation and anti-poaching efforts in the Eastern Cape. Funds have funded Jeep vehicles, FLIR infrared binoculars, SKATE UAV, bikes, gyrocopters and the development in an end-to-end awareness engine.