Mavic has been at Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary since his incredible rescue in August 2022; his story and his brilliant name, are making us smile all over again!
Undisclosed Location (16 January 2023) – Mavic, the rhino orphan, got his name from the drones that were used to save his life. His rescue story is one of dedication and unwavering commitment to saving every rhino orphan affected by rhino poaching.
After a tragic poaching incident in August 2022 left a 7-month-old rhino calf stranded for three days – hungry and afraid – the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve in South Africa launched a remarkable rescue operation to save the little calf’s life.
When security drones captured footage of the small rhino walking alone, it was already too dark for the rescue helicopter to fly. With high concentrations of hyenas and lions around, the team feared he would not survive another night – so, determined to keep him safe, they used several DJI Mavic drones to keep a watchful eye on the orphan from 20m above –alternating drones as soon as batteries ran flat.
At first light, the rescue team from Sabi Sand Nature Reserve and team members of Care for Wild swiftly darted and moved the calf to Care for Wild’s intensive care unit, where he received 24-hour care, intravenous fluids and milk to stabilise his condition.
The team involved humbly asked if they could name him, and Care for Wild obliged. The anti-poaching unit chose “Mavic” after the drones they used to protect him throughout the night.
Petronel Nieuwoudt founded care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary in 2011, and just a few months later, she opened her home to the very first rhino orphan. A few years later, the Rhino Poaching crisis was at its height, and the Kruger National Park needed somewhere safe to send the orphans found in the park.
The rhino species is estimated to be less than ten years away from extinction, and South Africa is at the centre of the rhino poaching war. The Kruger National Park has seen a decline in white rhino populations of 75% since 2011. In 2014 SANParks joined forces with Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary and created a Memorandum of Understanding to safeguard this heritage and the species’ future by rescuing and protecting the orphans left behind.
All the orphans receive extensive care and rehabilitation before entering the rewilding and release programme. All rhinos who are released back into a natural ecosystem continue to be protected 24/7 by guards, as well as an elite K9 and Mounted Unit.
Mavic spends his days with his pals Aquazi and Jock. Take a look at Mavic’s story below. You can follow his progress via the Facebook page here.
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