"People think of this part of the Eastern Cape as a backwater – but it's amazing what an impact this backwater has had on the world, thanks to Thandi.
"People think of this part of the Eastern Cape as a backwater – but it's amazing what an impact this backwater has had on the world, thanks to Thandi.
"She's an inspiration."
Wildlife veterinarian Dr WIlliam Fowlds was speaking to Grocott's Mail on Wednesday 14 January, a day after Kariega Game Reserve's famous rhino gave birth to a calf.
Blood tests revealed that the poaching survivor was pregnant in December 2013, according to a media release from the reserve. "The veterinary team estimated that she would give birth in December 2014.
"The gestation period of a white rhino is between 15 and 16 months. All those involved in Thandi’s dramatic story of survival have been waiting anxiously for the birth for the past month," the media release stated.
In a telephone interview with Grocott's Mail, Fowlds said because the rhinos were still very vulnerable so soon after the birth, rangers were keeping everyone away.
He said there had been a huge reaction to the news of the birth from organisations and individuals around the world.
"People everywhere find the amazing fight for survival that she represents uplifting.
"We hope Thandi and her baby will continue to offer many years of inspiration in the fight against poaching," Fowlds said.
In March 2012 Thandi and two male rhinos were attacked by poachers, who hacked off their horns and left them to die.
The males died and Thandi underwent numerous operations under the care of Fowlds.
In Tuesday's media release the reserve said Thandi gave birth at 8.50am, witnessed by two Kariega rangers.
"Shortly afterwards, wildlife veterinarian Dr William Fowlds observed the mother and her calf from a distance. He confirmed that both are doing well," the release said.
The release quotes Alan Weyer, General Manager at Kariega: “It is incredible that the rhino we found so close to death nearly three years ago is now the mother of a beautiful calf. Thandi has shown huge resilience in her fight to survive. We are absolutely thrilled.“
Meanwhile Carol Harnwell, a volunteer in the Chimpembere Rhino Foundation and co-organiser of the Rooting For Rhino campaign, says Thandi's successful pregnancy and birth is "such a relief" after all the rhino has been through.
"Thandi is Grahamstown's story as well," Harnwell said in a telephone interview with Grocott's Mail.
"I've seen the effect on young people that Thandi's story has when I've done presentations at schools. Because she's such an icon, it's a relief that she's had a healthy calf."
Like others, Harnwell had been anxious as Thandi carried her baby well after her due date.
"She took her own sweet time," she said.
Explaining why no one was saying whether it was a male or female calf, Harnwell said, "The bush was up to the baby's chin when the photographer took the photo.
"There were no definitive bits visible."
She said there were plans to hold a naming ceremony for the baby in a few weeks. Wildlife photographer and film-maker Adrian Steirn, who took the accompanying photo soon after the 8.50am birth on Tuesday, described it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. In the Kariega media release he was quoted as follows: "Thandi's story has captivated the world since she became a beacon of hope in the fight against rhino poaching.
"To see her with a beautiful, healthy calf is truly a privilege and should inspire optimism and renewed commitment to protect these incredible creatures."
Rhino survival facts
South Africa has the largest population of rhinos in the world. However, figures compiled by the South African Department of Environmental Affairs show a dramatic escalation in the number of rhinos being poached. During 2014 a staggering 1 116 rhinos were killed. Over the past five years 3 569 rhinos have died at the hands of poachers. – Source: Kariega Game Reserve
