It is the one statement they hoped they would never need to release.
“One of our beloved rhinos was poached last night [28 March] and a second was wounded. The injured rhino has been darted and is being treated, and we are grateful that she will live,” a statement by the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve in the Cradle of Humankind reads.
In their statement they mentioned how vigilant they are. “Because of our name, the public knows that we have rhinos in our reserve, which makes them vulnerable. On the other hand, one of the purposes of the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve is to make it easier for residents of South Africa’s most densely populated urban areas to see wild rhinos. Getting to share these wonderful, gentle creatures with the public is something all of us at the reserve care about very deeply, and we have decided that we will not let criminals stop us from doing something that matters so much.
Also read:
https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/356801/rhino-shot-and-killed-at-game-lodge-in-magalies/
“Yes, we are devastated. We are also angry. This is a reminder that rhino poaching remains a crisis, and that we will need to stay on constant alert if our children’s children are to have a chance to see one of Africa’s most iconic species living free. We will do everything we can to help the authorities to bring these criminals to justice.”
In the meantime, they are increasing security for the rest of their rhino herd, but cannot divulge any details that would put their animals at risk.”But we can assure the public that we will do everything in our power to limit any further poaching-related occurrences.”
