Yesterday, Dr Johan Marais of Saving the Survivors came through to the Pilanesberg to assist us with treating Shannon (we have named the Rhino now!). Also joining us was Dr Gerhardus Scheepers who had treated Shannon on the 2 previous occasions.As you may be aware Shannon’s injury is the result of a botched poaching. Though the poachers managed to shoot and injure Shannon, she obviously got away! But not unharmed.
Saturday 6 Feb we treated Shannon for another very severe wound, besides her bullet wound that we treated 2 weeks ago, that could be from another Rhino or Elephant. Or possibly as a result from the bullet, where further damage resulted as time went on…After Dr Scheepers had darted Shannon on foot to immobilise her, treatment was started in earnest.
Her little Rhino friend, Elizabeth, still ever present…like she was Saturday too….Shannon’s wound definitely looked worse than it did Saturday, and after cleaning the wound it was treated with L- Mesitran (medical grade honey), which has remarkable healing properties.
Dr Marais then did X-rays to determine the extent of the fracture in Shannon’s leg. It was concluded that a cast was necessary.The mobile X-ray used is extremely expensive, but necessary in situations like this one where it is impossible to move the animal to a proper facility.
Before applying the cast, the wound was covered with silver microbial gauze that has antibiotic and anti-bacterial properties to help heal the wound and prevent infection.
Stints were applied to the cast to add support to the cast.
With all the work completed we rolled Shannon into an easier position for her to get up from, and watched her from a distance.Elizabeth (her friend) immediately came to check on her and encouraged her to get up.
We were overjoyed at Shannon’s progress, and the ease with which she got up and walked (a little uncomfortably but better than with the broken leg).
Thank you very much to Saving the Survivors for coming to Shannon’s aid, and to our assistance in this case!
Both Saving the Survivors, and the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust, rely on donations to make the work we do possible!
Thank you to all that support us.
Thank you also to the awesome team that were present on the day. Your support and passion is very much appreciated.