In August of 2021 Dr. Palazzolo took a team of veterinarians to the Waterberg mountains of South Africa and Marataba in the Waterberg Region to do medical and conservation work on white and black rhino. The veterinarian in charge is Andre Uys, and he runs the Marataba in the Waterberg Region.
Dr. P and Andre with a sedated rhinoceros
Dr. P and a sedated rhino
These rhino are highly endangered, and doomed to extinction in the very near future, since the demand at the moment exceeds the supply. This is due to the tremendous demand from China and Vietnam for rhino horn for medicinals and cancer cures according to their ancient traditions.
There is no evidence that rhino horn, which is equivalent to our fingernails, cures anything. This has not stopped this ancient tradition, and with the tremendous number of people in China, their increased buying power over the last several decades, the economic conditions and rampant corruption in many parts of Africa, there are not enough rhino left to meet the demand.
Here is a short video from Andre talking about this
In 2023 Dr. P is taking another group of veterinarians for an exclusive trip to work with Andre to sedate more rhino to take blood samples, DNA samples, and put radio collars on them. After that he is also taking some non-veterinarians to be up close and personal with the rhino, in addition to going on a safari.
If you have ever entertained a trip to Africa, and want to do something so unique that it would be rare for you to know someone that has done something like this on their safari, and want to help in the conservation effort to save the rhino, contact Dr. Palazzolo.
The following photos from the recent trip show some of the things we will be doing on our August/September 2023 trip.
Prior to going in the helicopter to find and sedate a rhino Andre gave us a briefing of the collar he is putting on and what it is like to sedate a rhinoceros
The following photos are a mix of the sedation and medical care of several different rhinos. In the 25 minutes the rhino is sedated the veterinary team has much to do, and it is not appropriate to tell them to stop for photos. In spite of this limitation, our photography crew did a great job and got some good photos.
Andre and the pilot just prior to takeoff
Flying into the bush looking for a rhino
Andre giving a thumbs up that they found a rhino and are ready to sedate it
Video of Andre sedating the rhino
Location of anesthetic dart on rump
Andre and assistant approaching rhino to determine level of sedation
Looks like a standoff!
Rhino staggering just prior to going down
As soon as she goes down the face mask is put on
Dart removed from rump showing how it became bent when going through skin
Side view of sedated rhino with face mask on
Front view of rhino head with face mask on
Ears are plugged to minimize sound stimulation
Administering 100% oxygen into nostril
Placing intravenous (IV) catheter into ear vein
Giving an IV injection to help with sedation and breathing
Checking for previously inserted microchip
Preparing new microchip for insertion into neck
Reading the number of the microchip before being inserted into the horn
Drilling hole in horn to insert hidden microchip
Sealing the opening where the chip was inserted
Horn after microchip inserted and camouflaged
Recording all new microchip numbers
Measuring leg for proper sized foot collar
Getting ready to put the collar on
It goes on one of the front legs, not the back legs
Securing it with two bolts
Excess bolts are cut to make them flush
After cutting they are filed down as far as possible to prevent snagging
Measuring front (anterior) horn
Checking this female with ultrasound for pregnancy
Affirmative on that pregnancy!
Ear is notched for identification and DNA sample
Blood sample from ear vein obtained to determine health
The form used for the DNA sample
Part of the rhino sedation team with their data sheet
The data they collect, with GPS coordinates and microchip numbers removed to minimize information for poachers
Sign-off on the procedure by park ranger before reversing the anesthetic and waking rhino up
Rhino starting to wake up after anesthetic reversal drug given as Andre walks back to his vehicle
Rhino walking away after being given reversal agent
Video of the procedures illustrated in the photos above