Walking in the footsteps of giants -- 24/7

IT is so concerned about the poaching scourge that a five-star game reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal has employed around-the-clock bodyguards for its rhinos.

At any given time, the two rhinos at Thula Thula are in the eye line of at least two heavily armed and camouflage-clad rangers ready to jump into action and protect them.

The patrol moves with the herd wherever it goes — resting when it rests and walking when it walks — 24/7.

“We have seven people monitoring the rhinos around the clock. Normally it’s a two-man team at a time, one day shift and one night shift. They follow the rhinos everywhere,” said Mark Preston, head of security at the 4 500ha private game reserve.

Thula Thula is owned by Francoise Anthony, widow of famed “elephant whisperer”, conservationist and author Lawrence Anthony.

She said: “Our rhinos, Thabo and Ntombi, are both orphans who were relocated to Thula Thula [in 2012] when they were four and eight months old. Armed guards accompany [them]. Desperate times lead to desperate measures.”

Although there have been no poaching incidents in the past two years, a female white rhino, Heidi, was killed by poachers in 2009, and a gunfight between poachers and security guards took place in March 2012. Thabo was shot in the front leg during the shoot-out.

Preston, who has only worked at Thula Thula for a month after doing antipoaching work at private game farms for 15 years, said it was vital to put preemptive measures in place.

Apart from the seven officers dedicated to rhino protection, 15 others are employed to secure the reserve.

“We have access control at the gates, checking and searching all the vehicles going in and out.

“We also do perimeter checks at first light, and last-light checks to look for any incursions into the park.

“If you don’t put something in place, it’s going to make you a soft target. You have to do something. The guys who get hit are the guys who are doing nothing,” said Preston.