Funds raised for rhino safe haven

THULA Thula Game Reserve recently hosted a fund-raising raffle toward the establishment of the Rhino Sanctuary.

The winners of the raffle were selected and treated to a night’ stay at the reserve.

The funds raised have been donated to the Reserve to help create a safe haven in KwaZulu-Natal for orphaned rhinos who have been victims of poaching.

‘Thabo and Ntombi, the two orphan rhinos at Thula Thula, were hand-reared by carers for 18 months after being rescued a few years ago. They were then released into the game reserve, but under high surveillance,’ said Thula Thula Game Reserve Managing Director Françoise Malby Anthony.

‘The sanctuary, which requires 35 kilometres of electric fencing, provides a shelter with all the needed facilities where orphaned rhinos are cared for by volunteer veterinarian nurses to fight against the highly organised crime of rhino poaching and to assist with the protection and preservation of Thabo and Ntombi,’ said Anthony.

The fund is also aimed at anti-poaching training for guards and much-needed specialised equipment to ensure the on-going survival of the rhinos, as well as to save other orphaned rhinos which will be rehabilitated into the wild at Thula Thula Game Reserve.

‘To everyone who bought tickets for our Rhino Sanctuary raffle, thank you. We cannot begin to express our gratitude for your generous support which far exceeded our expectations.

‘We also have an Art Gallery at Thula Thula where local artists donate paintings to be sold and all proceeds go to the Thula Thula rhino fund. Amanda Vee from Richards Bay regularly donates her paintings to the organisation, and for that we are thankful’ said Anthony.