Endangered black rhinos die during transport

[Still Waters]

Quote

Seven endangered black rhinos have died while being transported to a new wildlife reserve in Kenya, reports say.

Wildlife officials are still trying to establish why the critically endangered animals failed to survive the trip.

The dead animals were among 14 black rhinos being transported to Kenya's biggest national park, Tsavo East, AFP news agency reports.

Estimates suggest there are fewer than 5,500 black rhinos in the world, all of them in Africa and some 750 in Kenya.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-44819231

Only half of them survived the trip, that's bad 

[Kittens Are Jerks]

That's really tragic. Something must have gone wrong during the sedation process. Given how many died, my guess is that it was poorly administered. Obviously there are always risks involved, but something's not quite right when you lose so many animals.

[Piney]

1 hour ago, Kittens Are Jerks said:

That's really tragic. Something must have gone wrong during the sedation process. Given how many died, my guess is that it was poorly administered. Obviously there are always risks involved, but something's not quite right when you lose so many animals.

Sedating large animals is trial and error. Especially if they a have a illness or your not sure of the weight. Most people keep the dose on the heavy side when dealing with dangerous animals. I'm sure the "Special K" they are using isn't the best quality either. 

[Still Waters]

Another rhino has since died, it's 8 now.

Quote

“It’s an absolute tragedy to lose seven [now eight] animals in this way,” Dean said. “The most important thing is for Kenya to do a proper inquiry and investigation into what went wrong. For that to happen the Kenya Wildlife Service needs to bring in external vets and translocation specialists from other countries - Namibia, for example.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/13/kenya-rhinos-die-after-being-moved-between-national-parks

 

[The Caspian Hare]

IT says they think it was excessively salty water that did them in. Wouldn't rhinos be able to distinguish water that is too saline to drink?

[Kittens Are Jerks]

2 minutes ago, The Caspian Hare said:

IT says they think it was excessively salty water that did them in. Wouldn't rhinos be able to distinguish water that is too saline to drink?

Not necessarily. And the problem with drinking high saline water is that you become dehydrated which in turns causes you to drink more, running the risk of salt poisoning.The worst part is that these animals probably suffered terribly before dying.

[DirtyDocMartens]

The article says that all black rhinos are in Africa. I know for a fact there are some at the Fort Worth Zoo, because I literally have put my finger on one. Maybe they mean in wild? BTW, a rhino feels like a rough granite wall that gives slightly when you press against it. Cool, huh?

[paperdyer]

On ‎7‎/‎13‎/‎2018 at 7:26 PM, Kittens Are Jerks said:

Not necessarily. And the problem with drinking high saline water is that you become dehydrated which in turns causes you to drink more, running the risk of salt poisoning.The worst part is that these animals probably suffered terribly before dying.

Agreed.  If this was the only water available and the Rhinos were thirsty enough, they will drink the water.  You would too even though you know better.  Extreme thirst throws logic right out the window as does extreme hunger.

[Kittens Are Jerks]

1 hour ago, paperdyer said:

Agreed.  If this was the only water available and the Rhinos were thirsty enough, they will drink the water.  You would too even though you know better.  Extreme thirst throws logic right out the window as does extreme hunger.

Absolutely. Water is water when you're a thirsty animal.

However, those managing the relocation should have known better.

Given the value of these animals, every precaution should have been taken ensure their long-term survival.

[The Caspian Hare]

But there were already rhinos a the place they were being transported to. So there is something else going on I think. Were they not hydrated enough in transport?

[Katniss]

Such a tragedy and wasteful.

[Still Waters]

9 dead now.

Quote

A ninth critically endangered black rhino has been reported dead after a botched operation to move the animals to a new reserve in southern Kenya, the country's tourism minister said on Tuesday.

Eight rhinos were initially reported by officials to have died following last month's attempt to transfer 11 of the animals from Nairobi and Lake Nakuru national parks to Tsavo East.

Police detectives have now been brought in and given one week to determine what caused the deaths, said Tourism Minister Najib Balala at a briefing in Nairobi.

https://phys.org/news/2018-07-endangered-black-rhino-dies-kenya.html

 

[Katniss]

Lord! It just keeps getting worse.

[openozy]

12 hours ago, Still Waters said:

9 dead now.

 

I imagine some heads are going to roll if they find out it was a malicious act.

[Katniss]

On 7/18/2018 at 3:53 AM, openozy said:

I imagine some heads are going to roll if they find out it was a malicious act.

I hope not. That's unforgivable.

[Still Waters]

10 dead now.

Quote

A tenth rhino has died after being moved to a different Kenyan national park, the government said, as it announced the results of investigations into previous deaths.

Autopsies found the water at the endangered black rhinos' new home, Tsavo East National Park, was too salty and harmful to them.

They were taken there in an attempt to start a new rhino population.

Eleven rhinos were moved. The survivor was injured in a lion attack.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-44968502