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Dr Charles van Niekerk works on the horn of Spencer, a bull rhino, at the Lion & Rhino Nature Reserve. Spencer had a tracking device placed in its horn to prevent poaching, but died during the attempt. Photo: Chris Collingridge
For 45 minutes it went well – “swimmingly well”, in fact. In those 45 minutes on Thursday, journalists, both local and international, watched as wildlife vets worked on the horn of a sedated rhino.
The old bull rhino’s name was Spencer, and he was just the latest in the herd to have his horn doctored – a measure to prevent any further poaching in the Lion & Rhino Nature Reserve at the Cradle of Humankind.
The plan was to drill into Spencer’s horn, take a DNA sample, then place a microchip and a transmitter inside.
The vet in charge of the operation, Dr Charles van Niekerk, had done this procedure at least 10 times before.
Then something went wrong.
Spencer’s limbs began to quiver. Earlier, his legs had shaken – but that is called paddling, said the vets, something that is normal in darted rhinos. But now those shakes were more like spasms.
A vet noticed a flutter in Spencer’s heartbeat. Those journalists watching didn’t realise the danger Spencer was in. The bull had developed an arrhythmia. His heart was packing up.
The journalists and spectators were told to go back to the visitors’ centre, and it was there that they learnt that Spencer had died.
“We immediately closed up the hole (in his horn) and attempted to wake him up,” said Van Niekerk.
“Up to that point, everything had proceeded swimmingly,” said Lorinda Hern, the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve’s marketing manager.
They couldn’t wake Spencer up. The vets, working with the bull, suspect that his age and a possible underlying heart condition killed him.
But Spencer did have a dark side. In recent years he had become a problem animal, had tried to dominate the herd and had killed several calves.
Spencer’s last hour alive began when a small Robinson helicopter buzzed him and separated him from the herd. Vets working on the ground darted him.
After the drug had taken effect, the crew blindfolded Spencer and got to work. They placed cottonwool in his ears, so as not to stress him. The media were there to see the entire procedure.
Never before, said Van Niekerk, had a rhino died on him. The procedure, he said, was safe. Spencer will be autopsied to try to establish the cause of death. - The Star
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Anonymous, wrote
To BJ: the horn is just like a fingernail, no feeling, dead tissue - OK? Not necessary to full anaesthetize to drill a horn Tandiwe: whats going to happen to the horn? It has been impregnating with a parasite treatment, a pink dye designed to be pick up on airport scanner and a GPS tracking device which was the point of the process in the first place, so it would have NO value if it got into the wrong hands and it wont as all horns have to be registered on a database and stored securely Flemza : READ and get your facts before making such a ridiculous statement. Some of the top conservationists in SA were present at this event
Kevin, wrote
What this article fails to mention is the dye and pesticide used in the horns...THESE are the actual poaching deterrents. The pesticide is toxic, but not lethal, to humans. It's a desperate measure to stop the wanton slaughter of rhino for their horns.
eish, wrote
First the poachers, then the vets ... eish, these poor animals don't stand a chance. They will soon be extinct. They must poison those horns with muti that will make the consumers of rhino horn impotent.
Zoe, wrote
@Anonymous 01:29, your grammar and spelling is atrocious. Before you let anger get the better of you, take the time to actually read what you type. Another titbit of information, I work and live on a game farm. Would you perhaps like me to introduce you to a rhinoceros? I am not an "activist" advocating animal rights, I was making an observation how lacking your knowledge is of wildlife. Unlike you, I am surrounded by these animals everyday. Everyone has a different point of view when it comes to animals, be it house pets or wildlife. Nowhere in my comment did I accuse you of not having the appreciation for nature, it's your knowledge that I questioned. Maybe you should read your own comment again then read mine. While you're at it, have a look at the photo. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't even know the difference between a black rhino and a white rhino. I DARE you to tell me!!!!!
Bruce, wrote
To all you idiots out there who have written that the Vets are as bad as the poachers - get a life. These people were trying to HELP save the animal from a fate WORSE than death - the suffering that goes with the poaching. Many poeple die on the operating table, and the Dr is never blamed, and if it is found that he has been negligent then the law will take effect. A few years ago, my father had an op and the Dr told us he had a 5050 chance of survival, he survived but it could have gone the other way. To the Vets who are doing this, I APPLAUD you. Please keep up the good work!!!!!!
The Gecko, wrote
@Bj - don't be stupid - drilling a rhino horn hurts about as much as a haircut. Its the same stuff as hair, with no more feeling than hair...
Anonymous, wrote
@Zoe have you ever walked up to a wild animal and called it simba or spencer or willy. And how did it respond? You want me to take you to one and see what happens? My point was that everyone is morning an animal as if was human where the real issue is that the attempt to foil the poachers failed and the issue is what more can be done. Do not asume that if someone do not appreciate this idolising of animals by giving them human attributes, have no appreciation for nature. Take of you doggie shaman glasses and read my comment again. I do not see anyone of the so called "activists" protesting or calling for petitions except this blabbering about how bad or good or scared or whatever the animal was. That is why ruthless poachers rule because we act like mindless zombies looking for our next opinionated media fix. If you really care, do something constructive. My praise go to the guys trying to do something and not the ones that had to be entertained to get media coverage.
Mezzi, wrote
Bj, wrote
I just checked the net - Spencer #Rhino Lots of documentation on net states that anaesthesia should have been used - even to shave a horn - they were drilling!!! How cruel !!! No wonder Spencer died !
Bruce, wrote
To all you idiots out there who have written that the Vets are as bad as the poachers - get a life. These people were trying to HELP save the animal from a fate WORSE than death - the suffering that goes with the poaching. Many poeple die on the operating table, and the Dr is never blamed, and if it is found that he has been negligent then the law will take effect. A few years ago, my father had an op and the Dr told us he had a 5050 chance of survival, he survived but it could have gone the other way. To the Vets who are doing this, I APPLAUD you. Please keep up the good work!!!!!!
Zoe, wrote
To, Anonymous 10:33, before you speak of things you do not comprehend yourself, do a little research about the animal being discussed. You might be surprised by what you discover. Ever heard the saying, "Ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise",? Well, in your case this does not apply. I'm not surprised you chose to be anonymous.
Anonymous, wrote
Poor Spencer probably had a heart attack from fright. Sad world, but the vets trying to help the Rhino are to be applauded and thanked for at least doing their best against marauding greedy killers.
Anonymous, wrote
lifelove, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
People, this is an animal that do not understand why or hear you or never even knew that he was called Spencer. Get a grip. It is dissappointing to say the least that their efforts did not work. Question to be asked what now? And please stop making the Rhino out to be a matyr for other Rhino's. That is really sickening since it did not volunteered for the procedure. And what is with the journalism comments about it being bad? Does it somehow justify the mistakes made. IT IS STILL A WILD ANIMAL
FreeGuy, wrote
Better to die sedated at the hands of a loving vet than have your life wasted by a poachers AK.. We should be farming Rhinos for their horns and dehorn all wild rhinos, at least for a generation until the eastern economy implodes and the market dries up.
Flemza, wrote
My only problem is what is the difference between these people and poarchers , in my eyes and the eyes of the people of South Africa who are against animal cruelity & killing they are all Rhino killers , they must face the same punishment of the law , no one must be above the law against Rhino killing , they have killed the a Rhino an endangared wild animal , if nothing is done this is going to encourage poaching , Only when they are charged brought to trial , then during sentencing they can mitigate , but for now they must be charged just like any Rhino Killer
Anonymous, wrote
if these vets are murderers so are doctors when their patients die. Its easy to point a finger at them. Atleast they have saved 10 out of eleven Rhinos. What have u and i done...nothing....Plus we don't even know what happend
Geordie , wrote
Do you really think that the vets would be sloppy when they have a whole lot of press watching over their shoulders??? The vets are probably taking this the hardest of all. When we are given anesthetic for an operation it is done in a hospital operating room under very controlled circumstances. Now here we have a 2000kg animal being darted (Basically given anesthetic) in the bush where anything can go wrong. The vets do everything possible to ensure the safety of the animals in their care but sometimes things go wrong because of unforeseen circumstances (heart problems for example) I agree with “Animal Lover” that this is a horrible thing that happened, BUT the vets have nothing to be ashamed of. Sadly a lot of people shout their opinions without having any knowledge about the subject. Please go and find out more about the procedures involved before shouting your mouth off. It is sad enough without insulting the integrity of the people who do the job of protecting our wildlife.
Seromo, wrote
Asanda. Next time if you do not have anything positive to say. Just shut your trap. My heart goes out to the team who worked on Spencer's horn. I hope his death will be to not in vain but in saving the lives of other rhinos from being poached. Rest In Peace Spencer.
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