The on-ground circumstances that were needed to take immediate action. Due to the calf’s size, she could not be transported inside a helicopter, and a ground retrieval operation would have taken several hours.
‘As the calf was too big to fit inside the helicopter and a ground retrieval would have taken several hours, the decision was made to tranquillise the calf and fly her directly to Care for Wild using specialised suspension ropes. With an experienced pilot and a highly trained and professional veterinary team, this method of transportation is fast and very safe,’ Care for Wild said.
To expedite the process, the decision was made to tranquillise the calf and transport her directly to Care for Wild using specialised suspension ropes.
This method of transportation, though unconventional, is both rapid and secure. The operation proceeded smoothly with an experienced pilot at the controls and a highly trained veterinary team on board.
‘After arriving at the helipad, our newest rescued orphan was immediately driven to our Juvenile Intensive Care Unit (ICU), purpose-built to accommodate the needs of slightly older and larger orphans. Once stabilised, an initial triage process began, including taking temperature, blood glucose, and blood samples. She was given intravenous fluids and rectal fluids containing fresh faecal matter from a healthy rhino,’ Care for Wild added.
Petronel, a key figure in the rescue, maintained constant communication via ground-to-air radio throughout the journey.
Watch the operation in the video below
