Not Every Wound Tells the Story You Expect
At Saving The Survivors, we’re all too familiar with the devastating injuries inflicted on wildlife—particularly rhinos—as a result of poaching. So when our team received an urgent call about a rhino with what appeared to be a gunshot wound, we feared the worst.
Our founder and head veterinarian, Dr. Johan Marais, led the rapid response. Upon arrival, the injured rhino bull was safely darted and examined thoroughly in the field. The injury was located in a region often associated with poaching attempts, and the concern was that this might be yet another tragic case of cruelty at the hands of humans.
But as the clinical assessment progressed, a very different picture emerged.
To our relief, the wound was found to be traumatic in origin—not from a bullet, but most likely the result of a confrontation with another rhino. Territorial disputes, particularly between dominant bulls, can lead to serious injuries inflicted by their powerful horns. While still a grave injury requiring expert care, there was comfort in knowing this was a natural occurrence—not an act of violence by poachers.
The bull was treated immediately, receiving advanced wound care and medication to support his recovery. He is now stable and being monitored closely by our team and local conservation partners to ensure his ongoing healing.
Every rescue reminds us of why we do this work. Every rhino matters. Every story matters.
We want to thank every single supporter who makes missions like this possible. Saving The Survivors is 100% funded by donations, and without your generosity, we simply could not respond to these calls for help.
If you’d like to support our work and help us be there for the next rhino in need, please consider making a donation today.
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Together, we can keep writing stories of hope.
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