Posts tagged “Thandi”

On the 2 March 2012 the rhino poaching epidemic became a reality to us at Kariega when one cow and two rhino bulls were poached on the reserve. On World Rhino Day we celebrate Thandi, and all our rhinos, and remind ourselves how important it is to raise awareness about rhino poaching and the illegal trade in rhino horn.

A big thank you to Kariega ranger Tayla Jane McCurdy for sharing these recent pictures of Thandi.

Rhinos are one of the few megaherbivores (plant-eaters that weigh more than 900 kilograms or 2,000 pounds) still alive. Recently their numbers have been dramatically reduced with the increase of poaching. Poachers killed over 1,000 rhinos in South Africa during 2013 and 376 have been reportedly killed by poachers this year. We simply cannot allow them to become extinct.

Thandi has not been in a photographic mood too much of late. But here are some recent pictures taken by Jason Loest - Kariega operations manager and Thandi's keeper. She's pictured with the young calf (not so small anymore!) of her female companion. Thanks Jason for sharing with us.

The Khalsa Primary School in the UK recently held a special Rhino Day to raise awareness as well as funds for the Kariega Foundation Save the Rhino fund. All in all they managed to raise an impressive R6105!

Yesterday a small press conference was held at Kariega Game Reserve to inform our local media and supporters of the great news that Thandi is pregnant. Thank you to all who made it out to the reserve to share this special moment with us, and thank you to Alan, Jason, Dr Fowlds and Jo for organising the event.

Kariega Game Reserve is most pleased to announce that recent blood results reveal Thandi is pregnant! Wildlife vet Dr William Fowlds, who has been by Thandi's side since she was poached in March 2012 comments...

On 18 October Simon Jones, founder of the NGO Helping Rhinos, paid a visit to Thandi - a big part of his inspiration for starting a great organisation geared to rhino conservation and awareness. Simon spent six weeks in the Kariega Conservation Volunteer Programme, and recently returned to the reserve to see Thandi. He took some lovely images. Thank you Simon for sharing, and for the great work you do through Helping Rhinos.