Depending on which research activity is available at the time, you will have the opportunity to assist in either a rhino notching or a rhino de-horning. These rhino are of great conservation significance, and we need to ensure the longevity of this wild animal, and that this healthy population does not diminish.
Rhino notching
Witness the darting of a rhino, and assist the veterinary team in notching the sleeping rhino’s ear for research and security monitoring, before releasing it back into the wild. Phinda 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.
Many of Phinda’s 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. Guests 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 anaesthetized rhino during the notching procedure.
Get up close and personal with these highly endangered giants of the African bush on this once in a lifetime opportunity to assist in the conservation of rhinos at &Beyond Phinda (all funds raised go directly towards the costs of running Phinda’s rhino conservation and management project).
De-horning a rhino
Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime, rare opportunity to get up close and personal with rhino at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, while assisting in the conservation of this endangered species. Phinda is committed to ensuring the survival of Africa’s giants of the bush and, as such, we implement best practice research and management practices. This thrilling experience allows guests to witness the capture and darting of either a black or a white rhino.
A wildlife vet will locate and dart the rhino from the vantage point of a helicopter, while the guests and ground crew will follow in open 4×4 safari vehicles. Once darted, the veterinary team will remove both horns from the sleeping animal for research and security monitoring. These horns are safely removed by our conservation team and will be transported off the reserve to a safe storage site, at an undisclosed location. Cherish this memorable opportunity to assist in the conservation of rhinos at &Beyond Phinda, where all funds raised go directly towards the costs of running Phinda’s rhino conservation and management project.