Finally the day we have been waiting for arrives… Ike’s permits and permissions are all in place, and he is ready to move to his new home.
For those that are not aware, Ike was shot and poached over a year ago in the Pilanesberg National Park. Ike survived the poaching however, and once he was spotted, the need for a Vet and treatment was obvious. The bullet that Ike was shot with passed right through him. We assume that he must have been out for a time though, as his horns were both removed. Ike’s horns have been completely removed. The horn forming layer that was surgically removed during a previous operation due to the abscesses forming means Ike will never grow a horn again. Ike also had a panga slash on his back…
After the initial treatment in the veld Ike was moved to the boma and treated on numerous occasion by Saving the Survivors. Today was the final treatment with Dr Gerhard Steenkamp, and Ike was taken to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre to live with other poached survivors that do not have horns either. 
We arrived late this evening with Ike, and we were with him as he set off in his new home. Hopefully Ike and the cow Rhino’s at HESC will go on to produce more young to assist the populations in Africa…
Go well Ike… We will miss you, but without your horn you were a risk in Pilanesberg. And having fought so hard, like the true warrior you are, we are not prepared to take the risk. Thank you to HESC for accepting Ike, and thanks to Saving the Survivors for all the help with Ike!
We hope he finds happiness and peace with you!
