Thandi’s Story
Mutilated and left for dead
On one fateful night March 2nd 2012, a cow and two bull rhinos were poached at Kariega Game Reserve, which is located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The poachers darted the Rhino, hacked off their horns with machetes and left them to die in pools of blood and gore.
One of the bulls tragically died during the night, but the cow and the remaining bull, although very seriously wounded, showed an incredible will to survive.
One of the first on the scene was an amazing wildlife veterinary expert – Doctor William Fowlds, who from that moment on worked tirelessly with the Kariega ranger team for 24 days to give these two incredible animals every chance of recovery.
Courage and Hope
So inspired by their courage and bravery, the rangers named the cow Thandi and the bull Themba – meaning courage (or to be loved) and hope in isiXhosa.
Heartbreakingly, Themba (Hope) passed away on the morning of the 26 of March 2012 due to an infection caused by a leg injury sustained during the poaching incident.
Courage Personified
Thandi amazed everyone with her incredible fighting spirit and made a miraculous recovery despite enduring numerous operations, including pioneering skin graft surgery under the care of Doctor Fowlds. Thandi became the first rhino ever to survive a poaching attack.
“The name Thembi seemed to fit best given that this little calf has brought fresh hope and energy to those who struggle to secure the future of our rhino. She is a new generation of life, one I hope will never experience a poaching incident like her mother and namesake Themba,”
– commented by Dr William Fowlds when she was named