We’ve often heard the term “when pigs fly”, but thank goodness that term was never “when rhino’s fly” because recently, animal biologists have learned that that’s the best way to transport them.
Why move rhinos to begin with?
The current areas where the endangered black rhino’s live in Africa are unsafe due to the high levels of poaching. The black rhino’s have already died out in West Africa, so the WWF’s Black Rhino Range Expansion Project is taking any measures that they can to keep the live ones safe.
But how does one move a 3000 pound rhino?
Good question. The footage below shows how, and it’s been blowing peoples minds. Nineteen sedated black rhinos were airlifted below a helicopter, upside down, for about a ten minute travel to their new home. “The helicopter translocations usually take less than ten minutes, and the animals suffer no ill effect,” Dr. Jacques Flamand, World Wildlife Fund project leader told NPR News. “All of the veterinarians working on the translocation agreed that this was now the method of choice for the well-being of the animals.”
120 rhino’s in total have moved to the Limpopo Province in South Africa, where they’re said to have a better chance of survival. According to the International Rhino Foundation, back in the 1970’s, around 65 000 black rhino’s roamed the earth freely. Today, less than 5000 are alive.
Are we the only one’s who see the connection between this story and the old cartoon, FLYING RHINO JUNIOR HIGH? Yes? Ok.
Flying Rhinos from Green Renaissance on Vimeo.