Refuge for rhinos ‘shattered’
Cops probing arrested duo’s links to armed-gang attack
AHEAVILY armed gang of criminals who brutally attacked volunteers and orphaned rhinos at the Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage in the early hours of Tuesday is still on the run.
This is according to Thula Thula’s managing director, Francoise Malby Anthony, who said yesterday that the two suspects who were arrested the day after the attack were not part of the gang which unleashed their violent raid at the orphanage.
“Our security has confirmed the two men who were due to appear in court on Friday are not linked to our orphanage attack, although they are poaching suspects.
“I appeal to anyone who has any information related to the attack to contact the police,” said Malby Anthony.
The news of the vicious assault, which included the gang taking international volunteers hostage, continued to make headlines around the world yesterday, which left local and international animal lovers furious on social media..
Baby rhinos are often left at sites where the mother has been killed and her horn removed.
Rangers at these scenes have said the damage inflicted on such young rhinos leaves them traumatised and terrified. The orphanage has always been a sanctuary, but that tranquillity was shattered on Monday night.
Show of support
On the night of the attack, two older rhino calves, Gugu and Impi, were both shot, and their horns were hacked off. One rhino died at the scene, with the second being put down the next day because of the severity of her injuries.
After the attack, a former volunteer at the centre, Megan Richards, who lives in the UK, started a crowd-funding appeal to increase security at the orphanage, with website goodnewsguy.com reporting R400 000 had been raised in 24 hours.
“It is sad to live in a world where some people have no respect for humans and animals. Gentle and dedicated animal lovers who just want to care for innocent and already traumatised orphans,” said Malby Anthony. “They all need the best protection, and we shall make the orphanage the safest place so that this kind of barbaric attack never happens again.
“Thanks to generous donors, my head of security said everyone at the orphanage will have panic buttons with bracelets. We will be reinforcing the fencing, and our CCTV cameras will be reinstalled.”
Yesterday afternoon, Karen Trendler, who heads the rhino orphanage, described her team as incredibly tough and resilient. “It was horrific; our worst nightmare. But we are working hard to normalise the situation. The story has touched people around the world,” she said.
Earlier in the week, SAPS media spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo said the two arrested men were suspected of being among the criminals who attacked the rhino orphanage.
The suspects’ links to the attacks were still to be confirmed. SAPS had not responded with an update on progress in the investigation by the time of going to press.