UPDATE: Rhinos relocated after poaching attack

‘NO decisions have been made with regards to closure of the facility.’

But Yvette Taylor, CEO of the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization, has confirmed that the remaining rhino at the Fundimvelo Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage (FTTRO) at Heatonville have been dehorned and relocated, with the horns being moved off the premises under armed guard.

Responding to rumors that the facility is facing closure following an attack which took place there last month, Taylor emphasised that no move was being made, but that security of the remaining rhinos and staff were of the utmost priority.

The incident last month, which made international headlines, saw a group of armed men enter the sanctuary before fatally wounding and dehorning two young rhinos and sexually assaulting an international volunteer.

Since the attack, the facility has kept a relatively low public profile, with their focus ensuring the immediate safety and well being of the staff and volunteers and remaining animals on site, and providing support for the countless investigators and security experts who have been committed to finding the criminals responsible.

Taylor said the interim arrangement to move the animals and staff was aimed at giving the team a chance to recover off-site and to give management time to assess security.

She said it would also allow investigations to run their course, and for consultations to take place between the stakeholders, which includes KZN Wildlife, private reserves in the area, the consulting veterinarian and the local community.

‘This decision was not made in isolation, but was taken on advice from various experts and senior police officers who have warned against the danger of a repeat attack,’ said Taylor.

She said two of the older, high-risk orphans have been relocated back to the reserve they came from together with an interim handler to ensure continuity of care.

Both rhino were dehorned before the relocation and the horns removed from FTTRO premises under armed escort.

Reports indicate that both rhino are settling well in their new environment and their rehabilitation programme will continue for their eventual release back to the wild.

‘We never anticipated poaching would become so indiscriminate that calves in an orphanage would suffer casualties, or that the staff would be at risk,’ said Taylor.

‘Police investigators commented on the escalation of attacks and how poachers where becoming more agile in terms of adjusting their strategy in accordance with the environment.

‘The reality is that poaching has become increasingly violent, poachers brazen and any facility with rhino a massive target.’

‘It is clear that we are now dealing with the harsh reality of human lives being at risk.

‘The mandate for decisions regarding the future of the facility will be decided by the Board of Directors of LAEO in consultation with the relevant stakeholders and will be done once the findings of the independent investigation have been reviewed,’ Taylor explained.

A crowd-funding campaign for the Thula Thula Rhino Fund is aimed to fund increased security operations on Thula Thula Private Game Reserve.

The Thula Thula Rhino Fund is not administered by the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization.
Separate funds raised by FTTRO via PayPal or direct EFT are used to cover the running costs for the facility.

LAEO will additionally allocate resources to the facility providing interim care for the animals.

The FTTRO is a specialist facility under management of the LAEO, a world renowned NPO focused on environmental and conservation issues.

‘The Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization wishes to thank the public for their overwhelming support and will advise on the investigation and way forward,’ said Taylor.

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