A young rhino orphaned when poachers hit a Sunshine Coast game reserve two months ago returned home yesterday from a wildlife rehabilitation centre – with a new friend.
Although 18-month-old Binky was not injured during the attack at Sibuya Game Reserve – which left her parents and another rhino dead – she was sent to Shamwari Game Reserve to recover.
Sibuya manager Justin Fox yesterday said Binky had bonded so well during rehab with another orphaned rhino that they had bought it to release back into the wild with her yesterday.
Fox, who also heads the reserve’s anti-poaching unit, said Binky and the young male rhino were inseparable.
The male rhino, called Courage, was also left unharmed after an attack in Cradock, which saw his parents killed.
The plan by renowned wildlife expert Dr Will Fowlds to release both animals at the same time in Sibuya did not go quite to plan.
The animals were in separate trailers, with the smaller Binky facing with her head to the exit and Courage the other way round.
Binky walked out of her trailer in minutes, and walked around a bit before venturing into the veld.
But attempts by Fowlds to back the one-ton male out by using an electrical prodder did little to budge him and he bumped and bucked in the trailer.
When he finally emerged, the agitated animal rammed into a nearby game vehicle, narrowly missing Sibuya co-owner Fenella Lawrenson.
He also rammed the open bakkie door and brushed into another van before going off into the veld in the opposite direction to Binky.
It is hoped the two will pick up each other’s scent and connect up quickly.
Both animals are fitted with tracking devices so rangers can follow them. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Orphaned Binky’s boyfriend joins her
Although 18-month-old Binky was not injured during the attack at Sibuya Game Reserve – which left her parents and another rhino dead – she was sent to Shamwari Game Reserve to recover.
Sibuya manager Justin Fox yesterday said Binky had bonded so well during rehab with another orphaned rhino that they had bought it to release back into the wild with her yesterday.
Fox, who also heads the reserve’s anti-poaching unit, said Binky and the young male rhino were inseparable.
The male rhino, called Courage, was also left unharmed after an attack in Cradock, which saw his parents killed.
The plan by renowned wildlife expert Dr Will Fowlds to release both animals at the same time in Sibuya did not go quite to plan.
The animals were in separate trailers, with the smaller Binky facing with her head to the exit and Courage the other way round.
Binky walked out of her trailer in minutes, and walked around a bit before venturing into the veld.
But attempts by Fowlds to back the one-ton male out by using an electrical prodder did little to budge him and he bumped and bucked in the trailer.
When he finally emerged, the agitated animal rammed into a nearby game vehicle, narrowly missing Sibuya co-owner Fenella Lawrenson.
He also rammed the open bakkie door and brushed into another van before going off into the veld in the opposite direction to Binky.
It is hoped the two will pick up each other’s scent and connect up quickly.
Both animals are fitted with tracking devices so rangers can follow them. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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