Experience the rare opportunity to participate in a rhino notching experience at &Beyond’s Ngala Private Game Reserve. Witness the darting of a rhino, and assist the veterinary team in tagging the sleeping rhino’s ear for research and security monitoring, before releasing it back into the wild.
Ngala is committed to ensuring the survival of Africa’s rhinos and, as such, we implement best practice research and management practices. Ear notches enable researchers to correctly identify different individuals on the Reserve. Each rhino is given a unique ear notch number, and microchips are placed in the horn and body for identification and security purposes. Measurements, horn shavings and skin samples are also taken for DNA analysis.
Rhinos are in need of ear notches and we are inviting groups of up to eight guests each (sharing one vehicle) to participate in this extraordinary experience. You will play an active role in the day’s adventure. As the veterinary team flies overhead in a helicopter in search of the rhino, guests will follow in hot pursuit with an expert ranger in an open 4×4 safari vehicle. Once the animal is located and darted, the helicopter will land, and guests will have the never-to-be-repeated opportunity to touch the anaesthetised rhino during the notching procedure.
All funds raised go directly towards the costs of running Ngala’s rhino conservation and management project.