Rhino with damaged horn from a fight
A Bold Mission to Save a Black Rhino Bull: Dr. Johan Marais at Work
In the heart of the African wilderness, a remarkable story of resilience and compassion unfolds. At STS our commitment to protecting and preserving wildlife knows no bounds. Today, we share with you an extraordinary mission led by our founder and head veterinarian, Dr. Johan Marais.
The Challenge: A Damaged Horn and a Fierce Battle
It all began with a distress call about a Black Rhino Bull in dire need of help. This magnificent creature had recently been involved in a fierce battle with another bull, resulting in a severely damaged horn and injuries that demanded immediate attention.
A High-Stakes Operation: Darting from Above
To save this majestic creature, Dr. Johan Marais and his dedicated team embarked on a high-stakes operation. From the vantage point of a helicopter, Dr. Marais expertly administered a tranquillising dart, ensuring the safety of both the Rhino and his team during this critical moment.
The Operating Theatre in the Wild
As the sedation took hold and the Black Rhino Bull lay peacefully in the African savannah, Dr. Marais and his team set up a makeshift operating theatre right there in the wild. With precision and care, they tended to the Rhino’s injuries, mending what had been broken and alleviating his suffering.
A Stirring Awakening: The Unpredictable Return to Consciousness
Black Rhinos are known for their fierce nature, especially when they wake up from sedation. In a moment of raw power and survival instinct, the bull charged at the hood that had once covered his eyes, reminding us of the indomitable spirit that resides in these magnificent creatures.
Your Support Makes It Possible
At Saving the Survivors we couldn’t undertake these daring missions without your support. Every donation, no matter the size, fuels our mission to protect and save these incredible animals. Your generosity sustains our life-saving work, and for that, we are eternally grateful.
Join Us in Our Commitment
The story of this mission serves as a testament to our unwavering dedication to wildlife preservation. Together, with your continued support, we can make a profound difference in the lives of these survivors and contribute to the preservation of our planet’s natural wonders.
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
