Nine white rhinos relocated
The N/a'an ku sê Foundation announced yesterday that nine white rhinos had been relocated to the private reserve thanks to the vet Dr Maaike de Schepper, supported by a ground team led by Marlice van Vuuren.The animals were anesthetized from the helicopter and the ground crew put blindfolds and ear protection on the rhinos. Then, one after the other, the semi-anaesthetized animals were carefully guided into the available transport crates. Four rhinos were relocated on the first day. The team trucked them overnight to a private reserve where a highly experienced anti-poaching squad patrols. The four pachyderms were released in the hours of darkness.
Five more rhinos were captured two days later and transported to another expertly protected reserve in Namibia. A calf was briefly separated from its mother during the process, but skilful helicopter work reunited the rhino cow and her calf. All five remaining white rhinos were safely crated and shipped to their new homes. For security reasons, the names of the protected areas are not mentioned. Several rhinos were also dehorned during the operation to protect them from poachers.