THULA THULA – in isiZulu it means ‘peace and tranquility’, a notion that was shattered when a group of armed men entered the Fundimvelo Thula Thula rhino orphanage near Heatonville at 10pm on Monday evening and attacked the staff and animals living there.
In this safe and internationally respected place – a shrine to nature conservation and animal welfare – they killed one rhino orphan after hacking off his horn, and left the other with facial injuries so catastrophic that she was euthanised.
A volunteer who had devoted many months of her life to protecting these endangered creatures was assaulted during the attack.
Both Impi and Gugu were animals who had been lovingly raised by their handlers within the sanctuary, and were due to be released back into the wild within weeks.
Those who were present are dealing with the shock of the violence, as well as the brutal deaths of the two beloved animals.
Survival
But, says Françoise Malby-Anthony, Managing Director of Thula Thula Private Game Reserve where the orphanage is situated, the team is ‘strong, receiving counseling, and is committed to continuing their invaluable work in this beautiful country’.
‘This was a travesty,’ she said.
‘This has always been and will always be a place of safety. This incident and the loss and hurt it has caused will never be forgotten, but we will continue to do our work as we live in the faith that the police will successfully carry out their work and justice will be done.’
SAPS spokesperson Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose said a case of business robbery, rape and poaching had been opened at the Empangeni station, and members were actively investigating the case. No arrests were confirmed at the time of going to print.
How can you help?
The Fundimvelo Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage was established in 2014 and offers refuge to baby rhinos and elephants that have lost their mothers to poachers.
‘We now need to focus our efforts on increasing the existing security we have in place,’ said Malby-Anthony.
‘We need support and assistance from our many, many friends around the world so that we can continue to protect and preserve these incredible animals so that our children, and the children of the volunteers who love and treasure this place, can see the rhinos in the wild one day in the future,’ she said.
‘We are focusing on the positive, on dealing with this properly, and working together to ensure it never, ever happens again.’
This is how to make a secure donation going straight to the Fundimvelo Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage, which is managed by The Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization:
First National Bank, Cheque account number 623 963 29073, branch code 223 526, SWIFT (international) code FIRNZAJJ.
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