Today, a month ago on World Rhino Day we announced the release of Olivia. We remember how on 20 September 2019, we at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre were over the moon and heart sore at the same time. The time had arrived for Olivia to be released back into the wild where she belongs. It felt like yesterday that she had arrived in April 2016 as a little four-month…
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Poachers beware; the newest member of our K-9 anti-poaching unit will start with her training this week. Ella, now eight weeks old, is a Dutch Shepherd dog that was donated to us by prominent Pretoria breeder Dr. Johan Klopper. Although still an adorable puppy, she is being trained to join Nicor in patrolling and protecting our borders, together with our K-9 handlers and the Black Mamba guards. Ella has an…
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Last month, we at HESC spent a day with Investec and British actor, Nicholas Pinnock, and American actress, Shannon Elizabeth dehorning rhinos, in a campaign to expose international audiences to the realities of the rhino crisis. Investec set up the Investec Rhino Lifeline as a way to do their part for rhinos: by educating young people, aiding rhino rescues and focusing on ways to reduce the demand for rhino horns….
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The alarming escalation of poaching in South Africa has resulted in HESC increasingly being requested to provide sanctuary to injured and orphaned elephant and rhino calves. But, providing treatment and rehabilitation is one thing. Ensuring the safety of the often already traumatised animals is something completely different and a factor of which we never lose sight. At HESC the safety of our animals and their wellbeing is paramount and we…
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Do you know everything there is to know about rhinos? Perhaps… perhaps not. These facts below are great not only to drop into the middle of a conversation on your next safari or dinner party; they’re also one way to better understand these unique animals. As with much of nature and life, there is so much more than meets the eye when it comes to the rhinoceros. These fascinating creatures…
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