Lion’s Den

It has been almost 10 months since we took in the two rhinos that were involved in a poaching incident. Click here to read the whole story. It has taken a huge amount of support, knowledge and research to take care of these two amazing animals. Dingle Dell’s wound has completely healed; but Lion’s Den, whose wound was much more severe, has taken much longer to improve.

On Sunday 15 June 2014, Christo Schreiber, the head curator of The Centre, noticed that the cover was coming off the older rhino’s wound and immediately scheduled another treatment. Three days later, Dr Peter Rogers and his team (including Dr. Christiaan Steinman who is the state veterinarian at Maruleng Municipality) arrived at The Centre. Earlier that morning Christo had noticed that Lion’s Den’s cover was completely off. We were therefore eager to get to her as soon as possible to prevent damage to the open wound.

Dr. Rogers inspecting the wound

Female rhino’s open wound

Intra-orbital nerve block – finding the correct nerve for the injection

Intra-orbital nerve block injection

Anri de Waal keeping an eye on Dingle Dell for the safety of the team

As usual, Dr Peter Rogers darted the rhino cow. This time she lay down next to the fence, which gave the team a limited amount of space to work in. Her vitals were monitored and the veterinarians started working immediately, giving her a local anaesthetic injection near the wound in order to decrease sensitivity in that area.

Wound is cleaned with clean water

Wound is cleaned with clean water

All excess granulation tissue is removed

After the cast was fitted by Dr Rogers and Christo, the cow woke up again. And again everyone is humbled by the fact that this amazing animal pulled through yet another procedure without any complications. We are confident that she will heal completely in the next few months.

Calcium alginate wads inserted and covered by antibiotic powder

Paraffin gauze

All hands are needed to turn the rhino