It took poachers 45 minutes to dart three rhino and saw off their horns in a daring full moon raid on a Sunshine Coast game reserve early on Thursday morning.
Sibuya Game Reserve owner Nick Fox said yesterday the poachers had evaded a specialised anti-rhino poaching team patrolling the reserve and patiently waited for them to go and check on other rhino before striking.
“They were gone for half an hour when they saw two baby calves that had been with the three adult rhino walking in the bush. They noticed blood on the one calf and called for reinforcements. They are definitely not local thieves, these guys were very professional.”
He said the poachers had evaded the guards and waited for the perfect opportunity before downing the rhino with dart guns.
Although the two females died, the male, Bingo, survived and was treated by renowned wildlife vet Will Fowlds – who became world famous four years ago when he saved nearby Kariega Game Reserve rhino Thandy after her horn was hacked off.
The two uninjured calves, including a three-month-old that was still suckling, were moved to a wildlife sanctuary to be hand-raised.
Fox said the incident was the first since the reserve opened in 2003.
“People need to be made aware how ruthless poachers are. Bingo is a huge bull, who used to come when called.”
Sibuya marketing manager Charlene Watson said reserves always worried about the rhinos’ safety when it was a full moon.
Ndlambe police spokesman Lieutenant Luvuyo Mjekula yesterday said the incident was being investigated by the specialised organised crime unit.
Poachers evaded specialised unit in daring attack
Sibuya Game Reserve owner Nick Fox said yesterday the poachers had evaded a specialised anti-rhino poaching team patrolling the reserve and patiently waited for them to go and check on other rhino before striking.
“They were gone for half an hour when they saw two baby calves that had been with the three adult rhino walking in the bush. They noticed blood on the one calf and called for reinforcements. They are definitely not local thieves, these guys were very professional.”
He said the poachers had evaded the guards and waited for the perfect opportunity before downing the rhino with dart guns.
Although the two females died, the male, Bingo, survived and was treated by renowned wildlife vet Will Fowlds – who became world famous four years ago when he saved nearby Kariega Game Reserve rhino Thandy after her horn was hacked off.
The two uninjured calves, including a three-month-old that was still suckling, were moved to a wildlife sanctuary to be hand-raised.
Fox said the incident was the first since the reserve opened in 2003.
“People need to be made aware how ruthless poachers are. Bingo is a huge bull, who used to come when called.”
Sibuya marketing manager Charlene Watson said reserves always worried about the rhinos’ safety when it was a full moon.
Ndlambe police spokesman Lieutenant Luvuyo Mjekula yesterday said the incident was being investigated by the specialised organised crime unit.
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