Rhino Capture

Last week we got an interesting email from the mission in Africa. They sent us a flyer that had a picture of a Rhino on top and a heading, "RHINO CAPTURE" at Klaserie/Kruger Reserve, April 11-14. We arrive on the 3rd, so this would be only a week after we get there. The flyer goes on to say: "...The Reserve...borders on the mighty Olifants River and the famous Timbavati Game Reserve. The Reserve, as part of the Kruger Park, has huge conversation needs, amongst which is Rhino protection. In 2012, over 600 Rhinos were poached in South Africa alone. Since then it has worsened with over 200 poached in 2013 as of the end of February. This is one every 11 hours! We need to do our part. The reserve needs sponsors to tag and mark the Rhino population (micro-chipping, ear-notching, etc.). This is a very costly, yet essential, exercise. We sponsor a Rhino capture and those that are invited get to work on the capture team. So far 150 have been done in the area and not one poaching  incident has occurred, while all of the surrounding areas have had several...We will be staying at a self-catering, 3-star lodge called Ndabushi on the banks of the Klaserie River...Is is 3 nights fully catered....On Friday, we will drive an amazing gravel road early in the morning with game reserves on both sides. We...will go to the Timbavati Picnic site where we will have brunch, then onto Satara camp for a visit and ice cream and shopping, and lots more animals.Then, back to the lodge for relaxing and dinner and campfire. The universally famous braai will be served around the camp for dinner. 

Saturday will be the Rhino Capture Day! This will be a really early start. The activity will take place all morning. The afternoon is free for siestas and other pursuits - walk around the lodge and down to the river, drives and swimming (Not in the river!). The evening will be a potjke served in the boma.

Sunday we will have a Bush Sacrament Meeting, followed by contemplating the eternities, and left-overs. People are then free to leave at their leisure.

Please note: Once you are in Ndabushi and therefore all weekend, there are wild animals around the camp, lodge, etc...especially at night (hippos for example). In the Klaserie, it is big five game so all precautions are taken, but we ask you to be sensible and follow the instructions of your hosts and the rangers. We can accept no liability. Please be safe. The Rhino Capture is a very sacred trust; we will be under the direction of Colin, the Reserve Manager, and Pete, the Vet. Thank you for making it possible to make a difference to these endangered, beautiful animals."

Everett read the flyer and then called me in to read it to me. We both wondered if it was a joke, one of those things that they pull on new missionaries, but we skyped the couple in Africa that we will be replacing and they assured us that it was real and they went on it the year before. They even got up and got a photograph from their experience that showed him with his arms around the Rhino's neck and holding the horn while his wife stuffed socks in its ears. They said that after the Rhino has been shot from a helicopter with a tranquilizer and is fully immobile, we speed off in an open truck to the Rhino and perform an assigned duty, like putting socks in its ears,because they can still hear when tranquilized, and putting a towel over their eyes because they cannot blink, but can see. They don't want the rhinos eyes to dry out. Someone implants a micro-chip in its horn, so that if someone poaches and takes the horn, it can be tracked by the microchip and the person can be caught.

This definitely classifies as an adventure…certainly not one I ever thought I would have, but as soon as I heard about it, I was excited to do it. At my age, helping tag Rhinos and keep them from becoming extinct is an amazing gift. A story granny can tell from her rocker... I still haven't figured out why Senior Missionaries are doing it, except they tried it and everybody had a great time and wanted to do it again.

Everett and I both spoke in Sacrament meeting last Sunday...our sendoff...where I told this story. I was sure glad I got this flyer before Sunday, so I would have something to talk about... Ha.

Sunday night my daughter had an open house for us at her home and we got to see many of our dearest friends from the two wards we have attended since our move here to Austin six years ago. Shannon's mother-in-law, Linda Pleasant, helped with the food and decorations and it was amazing. We are so happy to have their family as a part of ours. We leave for Utah, March 20th. I'll write more then.