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S. African rhino finally returns to wild after brutal attack
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Survivor rhino: Dr. Andre Uys (left), the managing director of Marataba Conservation Camp, looks on as veterinarian Johan Marais (second left) and an assistant guide Sehawukele during his return to the wild. The rhinoceros was left severely disfigured by poachers who brutally hacked off his horn. (AFP/Phill Magakoe)
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10-year-old rhinoceros that had his horn brutally hacked off returned to the wild on Monday after 30 operations over six years to repair the gash in his face.
His rescuers named the bull Sehawukele, which means "God have mercy on us".
Called “Seha” for short, the rhino was found by police stumbling near a fence in a reserve, so disfigured that he could barely hear or eat.
The police called in John Marais, a wildlife veterinarian who runs a charity called Saving the Survivors, which rehabilitates rhinos that survive poaching attacks.
"He has actually healed exceptionally well," said Marais. "And I think this is the next chapter where we are going to re-wild him in a 2,000-hectare camp, where we have put two females of breeding age with him."
Even after extensive surgery, Seha's sinus cavities are still exposed, posing a risk of infection.
Conservationists have opted to return him to the wild nonetheless, in the hope that he will mate and help grow the dwindling population.
"No rhino translocation is without risk," said Andre Uys, who manages the game reserve where Seha now lives.
Seha was safely darted and released on Monday. His rescuers are keeping his exact location a secret in hopes of preventing future poaching attacks.
Poachers killed at least 249 rhinos in South Africa in the first six months of 2021, 83 more animals than in the first half of 2020.
Full-year numbers are not available yet, but 24 rhinos were killed in just two weeks in December.
The animals are slaughtered for their horns, which are smuggled into Asia where they are highly prized for traditional and medicinal purposes.
