Update: Video footage of mutilated KNP rhino emerges
SANParks would like to extend its gratitude to the visitors who alerted the authorities about this heart-breaking incident as well as to the rangers for a sterling job and dedication to finding the animal
SKUKUZA – The white rhino that has been left mutilated by poachers was finally located in Tuesday morning and put out of its mysery.
WARNING: The following video footage may be traumatic to sensitive viewers. It was posted on youtube by visitors who witnessed this.
South African National Parks (SANParks) intensified its search again this morning for the poor animal that was spotted by visitors on Friday near the Phabeni Gate in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
According to SANParks Acting Head of Communications, Mr Reynold Thakhuli, the rangers took off again this morning in search of the dehorned rhino. It was found alive, but in a bad condition. “It was found within the Phabeni Section of KNP but quite far from where it was initially seen. An assessment was conducted to determine the extent of the injuries and suffering. It was discovered that a bullet had lodged in the rhino’s brain and therefore any chance of survival was slim,” Thakhuli said.
He added that the ranger in charge, after a thorough assessment of the animal, took a decision to put it down to end the suffering that it had endured since the poaching incident. “There was simply no chance of survival for this poor animal and unfortunately it had to be put down.”
SANParks would like to extend its gratitude to the visitors who alerted the authorities about this heart-breaking incident as well as to the rangers for a sterling job and dedication to finding the animal despite challenges with the weather conditions and tough terrain they had physically tackled in search of this animal. “We will continue to work hard in the fight against the overwhelming scourge that is currently targeting the KNP. To us one rhino killed is one too many.”
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mag daai “poachers” se gesigte afvrot stukkie vir stukkie, dat hulle helse pyn sal verduur in die verderf en in hul aardse lewe. Maggies mens kan nie anders as om hierdie mense met ‘n passie te haat nie. Ai mens voel so magteloos
Life sentences for these poachers. Name and shame each one…we want to see the faces of these people who are doing such cruel and evil things to our wildlife.
U guys u are trying hard to control this bad issue of poaching rhinos ,let us try and involve more escorts antipoachers so that we can we can have more escorts antipoachers in each area .and try and tell them that they should not involve in issues like this.