Rhino calf rescued after poachers kill mother near Middelburg
A month-old calf is safe after suspected poachers killed her mother on a private game reserve near Middelburg.
UBhetyan-O-Africa is located on the N11 Loskop Dam Road outside Middelburg.
The rhino is believed to have been killed between yesterday (July 22) and today (July 23). She was shot and dehorned. The calf disappeared after the attack, prompting a farm-wide search.
The baby rhino was found around 14:30.
Farm owner Deon Cornelius confirmed that the calf had been located and said arrangements were being made for it to be airlifted to a rehabilitation facility, believed to be in Bela-Bela.
Middelburg SAPS members are still on the scene.
According to Cornelius, the rhino was found on the couple’s original game farm, where their wildlife is still being kept after they recently purchased Mbidi Lodge near Loskop Dam.
Baby rhino
The loss comes less than a month after the reserve celebrated the birth of the female calf.
Susan Cornelius proudly announced the new addition to the game farm.
“UBhetyan-O-Africa proudly welcomes a brand new baby rhino female calf. Please help us name this little bundle of love.”
She added that the calf’s mother was named Behati, meaning ‘she who brings happiness’, while her father is named Owedru.
Police arrest 2 suspects on N12
The poaching incident follows the arrest of two men on the N12 near the Phola/Ogies off-ramp late yesterday.
Colonel Mavela Masondo of the Mpumalanga police said members of Phola SAPS stopped a silver-grey Toyota Etios at about 23:45 after the occupants claimed they were travelling from Mbombela to Johannesburg.
A search of the vehicle uncovered two rhino horns, a hunting rifle and live ammunition. The suspects were unable to produce permits for the horns or firearm and were arrested.
They face charges relating to the illegal possession of products from a protected species, as well as the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
They are expected to appear in the Ogies Magistrate’s Court tomorrow (July 24).
Susan believes that one of the recovered rhino horns belongs to the poached rhino from their reserve. However, this has not been confirmed by officials.