The art of immobilisation
How do STS immobilise wild animals?
Immobilising large wildlife such as Rhino is an essential procedure in our toolkit to keep these species safe. Whether we need to treat an injured animal or a more proactive anti-poaching procedure like collaring, the decision to immobilise such a large patient is never taken lightly.
When we humans go to hospital and require treatment under anaesthetic, the Doctor will ask us not to eat 24 hours before, they know our medical history and will weigh us and calculate the exact amount of drugs required to keep us under for the correct amount of time and monitor us closely during the whole process.
Obviously when dealing with wild animals we can’t be 100% accurate on any of that, we don’t think a Rhino would listen if we asked it not to eat for 24 hours, let alone step on some scales! This is where we rely on the knowledge and expertise of our Vets and the awesome reserve management, staff and rangers who all contribute to safe sedation of our patients.
What happens when the reversal drug is administered?
Sometimes following administering the reversal drug, animals can violently burst into life! Especially Black Rhino! Others can appear “drunk” and stumble a little before they fully come round. This is where the selfless rangers and reserve staff bravely assist the often 2 ton animals regain their balance!
Sadly, in very rare circumstances, individual animals can take a turn for the worse during immobilisation and not wake up, or not recover from the procedure. Thankfully these cases are very few and far between, but this does add to the weight of consideration when deciding whether to immobilise an animal. It is never without risk. But our Vets and staff always do all we can to ensure the risk is minimised.
Thank you to everyone who supports STS, without your support this work would just not be possible.
How can I support Saving The Survivors?
Please donate to ensure that we are always on hand to tend to Africa’s most special species. You can support our work by becoming a monthly or one-off donor. Donate here. Every single penny you donate goes directly towards supporting vulnerable wildlife.
You can also help support our work by following us on social media. This helps by giving animals a voice and by raising awareness of the issues facing them. Please take a look at what our supporters think and share your own views. Take a look at our facebook here.
MORE BUSH JOURNAL
World Elephant Day 2026
Protecting Africa’s Gentle Giants Today, on World Elephant Day, Saving the Survivors celebrates one of the most extraordinary and iconic animals to walk our planet — the elephant. Elephants have always held a very special place in the work of Saving the Survivors. Over the years, our veterinary teams have worked with countless elephants across … Continued
Technology Helping Pangolins Thrive in the Wild
Every successful wildlife release marks the beginning of a new chapter, but ensuring an animal continues to thrive in the wild requires ongoing monitoring. For species as vulnerable as the pangolin, every check-up provides invaluable insight into the success of their rehabilitation and release. Recently, the Saving The Survivors team returned to the field to … Continued
Strengthening the Future of White Rhinos Through Genetic Conservation
Saving the Survivors, in partnership with the Veterinary Conservation Coalition (VCC), has successfully completed the translocation of several White rhino cows to a South African reserve where no new genetics had been introduced for more than 20 years. Although moving rhinos is a complex and carefully planned operation, this project was about much more than … Continued
Innocent Victim:
White Rhino Saved After Devastating Snare Injury Every snare tells a tragic story. Not because it catches the animal it was intended for, but because it so often catches those it was never meant to. This adult White rhinoceros cow became one of those innocent victims. When our veterinary team located her, she was suffering … Continued
Nature's Medicine at Work
A Remarkable Rhino Recovery A few weeks ago, we shared the story of a Southern White Rhino mother suffering from a significant wound to her hindquarters, most likely caused by the horn of an overenthusiastic bull. At the time, the injury was extensive and vulnerable to infection. In the harsh conditions of the African bush, … Continued
Big Ben's Battle Scars:
An Unusual Treatment for an Extraordinary Patient Life for a dominant bull rhino is rarely peaceful. For Big Ben, one of the area’s largest and most powerful white rhinos, a recent territorial dispute left him with a significant facial wound. Like many mature bulls, Big Ben regularly encounters rivals competing for territory, breeding rights, and … Continued
A Rhino, An Elephant and a Race Against Time
At Saving the Survivors, no two wildlife interventions are ever the same. Recently, our veterinary team was called to assist a White Rhino cow suffering from a severely damaged horn. While injuries to horns can appear straightforward at first glance, they often require careful assessment and treatment to prevent complications and ensure the animal’s long-term … Continued
Monitoring One of Africa’s Most Vulnerable Predators
Saving the Survivors recently carried out an important conservation intervention involving an adult male cheetah living on a protected property where a coalition of males was successfully introduced by Saving the Survivors and the Veterinary Conservation Coalition in 2025. As part of our ongoing monitoring and conservation work, the cheetah was carefully immobilised by our … Continued
Hope Continues Her Frontline Mission Protecting Wildlife
At Saving the Survivors, every success story is built on the support of people who believe wildlife is worth protecting. Hope, one of our anti-poaching K9s, is a perfect example of what that support can achieve. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Hope was purchased, trained, and deployed to help protect wildlife on the … Continued
A Mother’s Strength in the African Bush
Out in the African bush, survival is never easy. Every day brings new challenges, and even the strongest animals can suffer painful injuries in the wild. Recently, the veterinary team from Saving the Survivors responded to help a Southern White Rhino cow found with a significant wound to her back leg, most likely caused by … Continued
Eight Years On:
A Story of Strength, Survival, and Hope Eight years ago, a magnificent adult bull elephant suffered a fracture to his left front limb — an injury that could easily have marked the end of his journey. But this elephant endured. Recently, our Founder and Head Veterinarian, Dr Johan Marais, returned with the Saving the Survivors … Continued
Hope on the Frontline:
A Protector Made Possible by You Deep in the bushveld, where the threat of poaching is ever-present, a highly trained protector moves silently alongside the rangers. Focused, disciplined, and relentless in her pursuit — this is Hope. Many of you will remember that Hope, our anti-poaching K9, was made possible entirely through your generosity. From … Continued
