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Flying endangered Rhinos in South Africa (Video)

Its always touching to see man do his utmost to protect and preserve what we have always taken for granted and have in many cases actively contributed to destroying. This video captures the moment when 19 critically endangered black rhinos were transported from the Eastern Cape to a new location in Limpopo province in South Africa. According to the project leader, Dr Jacques Flammand “The operation was difficult due to the number of animals and the long distances involved. But wildlife veterinarians, conservation managers and capture teams from WWF, Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, SANParks and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife worked cooperatively to ensure the success of the translocation. We all learned from one another and were united in a common cause.”

Dr Flammand also added that “Previously rhinos were either transported by lorry over very difficult tracks, or airlifted in a net. This new procedure is gentler on the darted rhino because it shortens the time it has to be kept asleep with drugs, the respiration is not as compromised as it can be in a net and it avoids the need for travel in a crate over terrible tracks. Another advantage is that rhinos can be more easily removed from dangerous situations, for example if they have fallen asleep in a donga or other difficult terrain after being darted. The helicopter translocations usually take less than ten minutes, and the animals suffer no ill effect. All of the veterinarians working on the translocation agreed that this was now the method of choice for the well-being of the animals.”

Flying Rhinos from Green Renaissance on Vimeo.