Top award for the ‘Wild Vet’
Scarred by the grim reality of rhino wars - SA's game rangers honoured at national awards
LIKE war veterans they are exhausted, shell shocked, frustrated and furious.
Our game rangers are scarred by the grim reality of rhino wars and fight every day to protect them.
These rhino protectors from across the country last week gathered at the Rhino Conservation Awards function in Fourways to honour those among them who have gone the extra mile in the ongoing fight against poaching.
Two of KZN’s rhino warriors were honoured at the prestigious awards, in recognition of their ongoing efforts to curb the slaughter of rhino.
Dave Cooper, better known as the ‘Wild Vet’, was nominated and won the award in the Best Science, Research and Technology category, while Project Rhino KZN powerhouse Sheelagh Antrobus won the award for Awareness, Education and Funding.
Dr Cooper, a qualified veterinarian since 1981, finally realised his ambition to work exclusively with wildlife in 1993 when he joined the then Natal Parks Board – now Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
‘He has dedicated his life to the nurture, care and management (of wildlife) and is the sole vet in EKZNW responsible for all provincial parks in KZN,’ reads the short bio on the Rhino Conservation Awards website.
Followers of the Facebook page ‘Wild Vet’, which is run by Dave’s proud wife Debbie, can attest to the stories of horror and hope that form part of his day-to-day work.
‘Dr Cooper and his team are called on to respond to each poaching incident, attending to injured and orphaned rhino and processing fresh crime scenes, completing forensic reports and collecting DNA samples,’ the bio continues.
‘He is regarded as one of the leading experts in rhino immobilisation, capture and transport and has been involved in the Rhino Without Borders project which plans to translocate as many as 100 rhino to Botswana. He has also been involved in the relocation of more than 150 Black Rhino to nine different localities as part of the WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project.’
‘Dave is seriously one of the most humble people you will meet and never seeks attention,’ said a proud Debbie, who together with their children are his greatest supporters.
‘That’s just me and the family that push him to tell his stories on Facebook. He is all about teamwork and rates his colleagues (including the legendary game capture helicopter pilot Vere van Heerden) as the most excellent unit of its kind.’
The award will go up on the mantel next to his award from the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Conservation’, an award he was truly honoured to receive.
But as you read this, Dr Cooper is already deep in the bush somewhere, still fighting the poaching war.
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