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On 17 February 2012 we saw this rhino cow at Marakele at the Bontle camp. She had a wound (gunshot?) on her left side.







We reported it to the personnel, but they did not seem too worried. I hope they are going to investigate and report it as they promised, because to me it looked like a gunshot wound and still fresh. Maybe it was another poaching attempt?

Oh my word ,
Hi Fralanti, thank you so much for bringing this to our attention. I will alos take this further and find out what could have caused the wound.

I that it was not a poaching attempt.

I will get back to you F. Thanks again

Could it be something like this ?

I was wonder the same and looking for that thread, Dotty. It also looks like the skin around the wound is red/raw - perhaps the work of oxpeckers keeping the wound open and drinking the blood?

I thiught the wound looked very similar.

The rhino on this specific photo seems to be a white rhino(hump, ears , grazing) and according to Imberbe on the other thread, the parasite only attacks black rhino.
I think a rhino would scratch any open wound to try and get rid of the irritation.

This does seem to be a wound caused by some external factor, rather than the parasites. And yes, this is a white rhino which is not targeted by the parasite.

I cannot comment with any certainty on the question whether this was caused by a bullet. If it was a bullet it would have had to be a very small calibre as a bullet of any considerable calibre hitting the rhino at that spot would have caused serious injury.

The hole however looks large, which is strange for an entry wound of a bullet, except if it had festered.

It was quite possibly an injury by another rhino's horn, a stick or something similar. I would think is is probably related to the mark on the body as it is right in line. Probably a major injury of which a part has festered and are being kept open by rubbing or indeed possibly by ox peckers.

Just speculating ...

Thx Imberbe -- I have seen how oxpeckers can cause incredible frustration for buff with open wounds so I suppose it is the same for rhino on a wound like this No respite and one really feels for the animal. Bit off topic but does anyone have any ideas about if there is any possibility oxpeckers could help in a situation such as this by clearing necrotic tissue?? Or will it simply prolong the time the wound remains open? ----

A bit of both. They help and hinder.

Hi Fralanti

I have spoken to the park manager at Marakele (via email) earlier this week after your message to us and she confirmed that she has passed this information and images on to the rangers in the area who will look for the rhino and investigate.

As soon as I hear anything, I'll get back to you.

Thanks for your images and caring!

Thanks Danie.

Thanks to investigation into the matter and a very comprehensive response received from Chris Patton I am happy to report that (in his own words) thanks to "... helpful and informed replies from my colleagues it is the conclusion that there is nothing untoward and the animal is healthy."

Thanks Chris and colleagues for following up!! It is good to know our parks are in good hands.


Frits

This is impressive, not only from SANParks, but also from you fralanti.

Hope this is not your last post.

Ditto!!

Well... At least I have taken the first step, and that's a lot for a shy person like me. I've always only been "listening", but now that we feel like "old friends" you may ask me soon to just keep quiet...