Thandi

From Tragedy to a Thriving Legacy

In March 2012, three rhinos were darted and brutally attacked by poachers in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. One bull succumbed to his injuries that same night. The two survivors, a cow and a young bull, were left with devastating facial wounds — their horns hacked away, their chances of survival uncertain.

They were named Thandi and Themba — meaning “courage” (or “to be loved”) and “hope.”

Despite intensive veterinary intervention led by Saving the Survivors, Themba sadly passed away just three weeks later due to complications from his injuries. But Thandi’s fight was only just beginning.

Under the expert care of Dr. Johan Marais, founder of Saving the Survivors, alongside Dr. Will Fowlds, Thandi underwent months of pioneering treatment. Against all odds, she became the first rhino ever to survive a poaching attack of this severity.

Her recovery captured global attention and became a powerful symbol of what is possible when skill, determination, and compassion come together in conservation.

But Thandi’s story did not end with survival…

A Legacy of Life

In 2013, Thandi fell pregnant. In early 2015, she gave birth to a female calf named Thembi, in memory of Themba. This marked a historic moment — not only had Thandi survived, but she had gone on to reproduce, directly contributing to the recovery of her species.

She continued to defy expectations, giving birth to:

Colin in 2017
Mthetho in 2019
Siya in 2021
Zolani in 2023
And now, her sixth calf, born recently — a remarkable milestone in her journey

A Growing Bloodline

Thandi’s impact now spans generations.

Her first calf, Thembi, went on to have her own calves — making Thandi a grandmother to three grandchildren. What began as a single rescued survivor has grown into a thriving family line.

At the same time, another of our survivors, Seha, who was treated by Saving the Survivors following a poaching attack in 2016, has now become a father for the second time — further reinforcing the long-term success of our work.

Proof That Conservation Works

Thandi is more than a survivor — she is living proof that saving injured wildlife is one of the most effective forms of conservation.

By giving these animals a second chance, we are not only saving individual lives, but enabling them to reproduce, rebuild populations, and restore genetic diversity.

Without intervention, Thandi — and every one of her descendants — would have been lost.

Today, her story represents: