A dedicated team from a Florida zoo recently journeyed to Zimbabwe to lend a helping hand to a white rhino suffering from a parasitic eye infection.
With a spark of creativity, they devised an unconventional approach to gain the trust of the wild animal, treating it as they would a beloved pet, and successfully administered eye drops along with other essential care.
This heartwarming effort unfolded near Hwange National Park, where an inspiring initiative known as the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative is working to reintroduce southern white rhinos into communal lands, fostering local engagement in their conservation.
Margo McKnight, the CEO of the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society, was visiting the region in August of the previous year when she learned of a pressing issue: a male rhino named Thunza appeared on the brink of losing his eyesight due to severe irritation.
“This rhino had bleeding eyes. He was rubbing his eyes,” shared Mark Butcher, managing director at a local safari lodge involved in the project. “I was looking at a potential where this guy was gonna lose his eyesight. And this is in a pilot project that’s got fantastic vision for a future for conservation throughout Africa.”
In collaboration with animal behaviorists from Palm Beach Zoo, McKnight proposed a method that involved desensitizing the injured rhino to human interaction, a strategy they had successfully used on their own animals. The idea, though, initially seemed a bit far-fetched to the locals.
“Believe me, we didn’t think of it; it was a completely ridiculous idea to us,” remarked Daniel Terblanche, a security manager at the safari lodge. “But without trying all of the things that we could to rectify that situation, we would have been in trouble, I think.”
The process involved enticing the rhinos into corrals with their favorite treats, gradually helping them acclimate to human presence through gentle interactions like squirting water on their faces, petting, and softly pulling on their horns.
Within just two weeks, the team achieved a remarkable breakthrough: Thunza began to approach them willingly, allowing the team to administer eye drops directly into his infected eye. They also trained the local security personnel to provide ongoing care in case the infection returned.
The Florida zoo team departed with renewed hope for Thunza’s future health, excited about the positive impact of their efforts.
The southern white rhinoceros is the most populous rhino species, widely spread across Africa. Although they face significant threats from poaching for their horns, they are not currently classified as endangered when looked at across their extensive range.
This incredible story of compassion and innovation highlights the power of teamwork and creative problem-solving in wildlife conservation. Share this inspiring tale on social media to spread the joy!
