Poachers be warned!
Thula Thula has just become the first privately owned game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa to infuse its rhino horns with an indelible dye and ectoparasiticides to protect its two orphans, Thabo and Nthombi, from poachers!
THULA THULA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE in KwaZulu Natal is the very first privately owned game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal to take the unprecedented step of infusing its rhino horns. To face the harsh reality of the rhino poaching situation in South Africa, the rhino horn infusion added to extreme security measures may be the best solution to protect our rhinos & the future orphans that the Thula Thula Rhino Sanctuary will rescue.
Françoise Malby-Anthony, Managing Director & co-owner of Thula Thula, widow of the late Lawrence Anthony, world-renowned conservationist, co-author of three best-sellers & founder of The Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization, in consultation with David Bozas, Thula Thula's wildlife consultant & Dr. Mike Toft, their veterinarian, has made the decision to take this drastic step. On the 29th October, Thabo & Nthombi were successfully darted, anaesthetised and had their horns infused.
Thabo & Nthombi are both orphaned rhinos that were relocated to Thula Thula from Moholoholo Rehab Centre when they were only a few months old. Today they have their own personal armed guard to protect them 24/7, following a poaching incident in 2009, that saw the death of Heidi, a white rhino - and left Thabo with an injured front leg, that has thankfully recovered well.
Though still controversial, rhino horn infusion is a sustainable, cost effective proactive solution to the ongoing rhino poaching scourge. A special compound of depot ectoparasiticides (though completely safe for rhino & other wildlife), is infused through a hole drilled into the rhino horn, (using a patented high-pressure device designed by a South African wildlife vet) & is then absorbed by the entire horn, remaining effective for up to 7 years, the time taken for the entire horn to grow out. Ectoparasiticide makes the horn unsuitable for human consumption – as it causes serious illness, leading to diarrhoea, nausea & in extreme cases convulsions & nerve disorder. An indelible dye that saturates the horn is also inserted & cannot be removed; if the horn is cut through (should the animal be poached) it has a blue colour to it. Apart from warning international crime syndicates & those using rhino-based traditional health remedies that the horns could cause serious illness, the dye can also be picked up on airport X-ray scanning machines – even if the horn is ground to powder. DNA sampling (results of which will go into a nationwide data base) & microchip tracking technology is also undertaken. Signs warning poachers of our treated rhino horn have been placed around the entire boundary of the reserve (kindly donated by The Sign Factory, Empangeni).
Thula thula would like to thank all its generous donors who have donated funds, donated their artwork to sell, bought paintings, tee-shirts or raffle tickets. It is thanks to all of you that we have been able to take this next very important step in our rhino conservation programme.
For further information on visiting Thula Thula or donating to our Rhino Fund, please email francoise@thulathula.com or visit http://www.thulathula.com
Facebook - www.facebook.com/pages/Thula-Thula-Exclusive-Private-Game-Reserve/106135859547
Tembe Elephant Park, also in KwaZulu-Natal but a national park managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (a state conservation agency), also had its rhino horns treated in September, along with neighbouring reserve Ndumo in the ongoing battle that claimed 620 rhinos in the first 9 months of 2013. Although controversial, it is hoped that this will help make the illicit product (used for home remedies in the Far East) to lose its commercial value. Tembe is also a member of the #ZuluRoute,
Claire Roadley
Marketing & PR Manager
Ethos Marketing®
Unit 5, Field Place Estate, Byfleets Lane, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham, RH12 3PB
Tel: 44 (0)1403 243619
claire@ethosmarketing.co.uk
http://www.ethosmarketing.co.uk
Twitter: @ethos_marketing / @claireroadley
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Ethos Marketing is the UK Sales, Marketing and PR office for luxury hotels and game lodges in Southern and East Africa.
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