We spent our afternoon attempting to dig and pull Foster, an old white rhino bull, out of the mud. He has been losing condition for some time and today managed to get himself stuck in some really swampy mud in the reeds of the lake shore. He was exhausted and his body was shaking from exertion when we got there. We treated him medically while various attempts were made to dig his limbs free and pull him out. Realizing manpower was not going to be enough, and while his legs were starting to swell before our eyes, we called Tim Paulets crane in to help. The truck with the crane could not make it close enough to him to lift him vertically as it also started to sink in the mud, but eventually - just as night fell - it managed to haul him out at an upward and forward angle. He managed a proper charge which sent his rescue team flying, then immediately lay down and slept for fifteen minutes. After we had dug and pulled the crane truck out of the mud, he managed to stand up and walk around. Its still a guarded prognosis, but at least hes not going to die stuck in a muddy pit tonight. Thanks to Parks for notifying us and to the rangers who worked tirelessly trying to dig him out, and to Josh Stafford, Anton and Toni and Tim Paulet for sending the truck and coming to lend a hand personally at such short notice. More pics to follow.....
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 20:31:23 +0000
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