Intl Rhino Foundation

Veterinarians on elephant back preparing to tranquilize the rhinos

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

The operation started off at 5:30 in the morning and a group of veterinarians went off on elephant back for tranquilizing the rhinos.

Tranquilized Rhino

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

In the next half hour that ensued, the first rhino, a male, was tranquilized. After fifteen minutes of tracking, the rhino grew sluggish and his hind legs started sinking.

Tranquilized Rhino

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

The rhino’s eyes were covered with a cloth and buckets of water were poured over him to keep his body temperature down.

Vet Team takes biological samples

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

The vet team busied themselves taking measurements and samples; blood, nose smears, temperature, pulse, length, height etc., the radio-collaring team busied itself in putting the radio-collar in place. The darts were taken out and the wound sprayed with antiseptics. The rhino was also administered antibiotics and sedatives for the journey ahead.

Placing rhino on stretcher sledge

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Everyone lent a hand in flipping over the rhino, weighing around fifteen hundred kilos, on to the stretcher sledge.

Pulling the sledge carrying the rhino to the truck

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

The sledge was then pulled by the excavator and dragged about five hundred meters to the site where the wooden crate was parked.

Placing the rhino in the crate

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

The crate, which is a wooden cage, has two sliding doors on both sides, which can be lifted vertically to open the cage. The cage was closed from one side and the door towards the head of the rhino was lowered halfway.

Rhino safetly loaded in to the crate for transport

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

A vet entered the crate and administered a drug to bring the rhino back from unconsciousness. Within 10 seconds, the rhino was stirring and stood up on his feet, albeit a trifle groggy and dazed. But no sooner had he gained foothold, he began heavily pounding the walls of the crate with the horn.

Lifting the crate into the truck

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

The crane was moved in to lift the crate and put it into the back of the truck.

Placing the crate in the truck

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

As it was lifted, the arm of the excavator kept the crate upright and the crate was loaded onto the truck.

Crate successfully placed in the truck

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Locating the second rhino

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

It almost noon by the time the decision was taken to look for a second rhino.

Releasing the rhino

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

After driving to Manas National Park, some team members climbed on the top of the crate, while the onlookers clambered on to a water tank truck parked in the vicinity.

Opening the door

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

No sooner was the door of the crate of the second rhino was opened, the head of the rhino poked out of the rear of the truck, and it surveyed the scene around it.

Rhino charges the truck

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

The rhino came out full charge, turned a full circle, and banged the side of the truck that had been carrying it for the past 14 hours.

Newly released rhino

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

The rhino galloped and vanished into the thickets, again evoking loud applause from the crowd.

Rhino Translocation Team

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Happy and content, but very weary, the team returned to base. Most of us had a very scanty sleep over the past few 2 nights, while some had not slept properly for more. Everyone was covered with a mix of sweat and dirt from head to toe.

Evaluating anesthesia

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Dr. Robin Radcliffe evaluates anesthesia in a black rhino using a new monitor that was donated for the project from Nellcor and Oridion. Photo by Dr. Robin Radliffe, IRF

Pete Morkel, African Rhino Expert

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Pete checks the oxygen saturation of a large Etosha bull. Photo by Dr. Robin Radliffe, IRF

Preparing to crate a rhinos

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Rhino capture expert, Dr. Pete Morkel, prepares to crate a desert black rhino. Photo by Dr. Robin Radliffe, IRF

Crating a Rhino

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Namibian Rhino capture team members push a desert black rhinoceros into position for loading. Photo by Dr. Robin Radliffe, IRF

Greater One-horned rhino at Kaziranga National Park

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Photo by Susie Ellis

Greater One-horned rhino cow and calf at Kaziranga National Park

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Photo by Susie Ellis.

Greater One-horned Rhino at Kaziranga National Park

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Photo by Susie Ellis

Rhino translocation

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

A rhino in Zimbabwe's Lowveld is immobilized and translocated via truck from an area with a high prevalance of poaching to a safer habitat.

Express delivery

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

A young rhino is translocated via helicopter to a safe habitat. (Rhino calves are often moved via helicopter rather than via truck to minimize the amount of time spent under immobilization drugs.)

Ulemule and calf

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

A rhino mother and calf in Zimbabwe's Lowveld Conservancies.

Jackson

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Jackson Kamwi, Senior Rhino Monitor for the Lowveld Rhino Project in Zimbabwe, in the field tracking rhinos.

Rhino Immobilization

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Natasha Anderson, Rhino Monitoring Coordinator, documents a rhino immobilization. (The rhino will be treated for any snare wounds or other injuries and moved to a safer location if necessary.)

Hand capture of young rhino calf

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Young rhinos are captured by hand for immobilization (rather than darting) to reduce stress to the animal.

Rhino tracking and monitoring

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Jackson and Raoul du Toit, IRF's Africa Program Advisor, in the field.

Rhino Protection Unit - Boat Patrol

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Members of the Way Kambas Rhino Protection Units patrol the Way Kambas river for signs of wildlife or poachers or other human encroachment in the national park.

Andalas enjoys his mud bath

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Andalas, the young rhino born at the Cincinnati Zoo who was recently transfered to the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, enjoys a mud bath in his new home.

YABI Board Meeting Participants

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

YABI, the Indonesian Rhino Foundation, is IRF's local partner in Indonesia and operates the Rhino Protection Units, the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, and other programs.

Rhino Protection Unit camp

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

IRF and YABI staff meet with members of one of the Way Kambas Rhino Protection Units. The RPU camp in the forest while on anti-poaching patrols.

Rhino Protection Unit members

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

IRF and YABI staff meet with members from the Way Kambas and Bukit Barisan Selatan Rhino Protection Units.

Snare Demonstration

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Arief Rubianto, leader of the Intelligence and Law Enforcement Unit (and winner of the Disney Conservation Hero award!) demonstrates one type of snare that poachers use to entrap wildlife.

Confiscated weapons and snares

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Arief Rubianto shows snares, weapons, and other materials confiscated from poachers.

Sumtran Rhino Sanctuary staff

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

Keepers and staff from the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, a management and breeding facility that is home to five endangered Sumatran rhinos.

SRS Visit

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

IRF Executive Director Susie Ellis and Development Officer Maggie Moore with YABI Director Effendy Sumardja and veterinarian Mohammed Agil at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary.

Ultrasound procedure

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

IRF staff observe ultrasound procedure on female rhino, Rosa to determine whether she is ready to begin breeding.

Nico, 2006 Bowling for Rhinos winners and staff

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

File uploaded by Susie Ellis.

Nico and 2006 Bowling for Rhinos trip members

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

File uploaded by Susie Ellis.

Nico in his element - Ujung Kulon NP

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

File uploaded by Susie Ellis.

Nico showing INov and students plaster cast of rhino footprint - Kaziranga NP

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

File uploaded by Susie Ellis.

Nico photgraphing rhino footprint - Kaziranga NP

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

File uploaded by Susie Ellis.

Nico and Inov- Kaziranga NP

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

File uploaded by Susie Ellis.

Nico and Inov making plaster cast of rhino footprint - Kaziranga NP

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

File uploaded by Susie Ellis.

Nico and Indonesia RPUs

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT

File uploaded by Susie Ellis.

Nico at Welcome Andalas ceremony in Jakarta

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:22:34 GMT