05 Nov 2017

The famous Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust hand-raised black rhinoceros ‘Noddy’ has died.

According to Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust acting manager, Mr Thapelo Baiphethi, the rare species died following loss of body weight over a month.

He said medical attention was sought for him, but died before receiving it.  

He said the rare species, which under normal circumstances enjoyed human company, rarely frequented its usual spots such as the restaurant, campsite, game rangers residential, and the education centre since he fell ill.

He said the animal, which effortlessly won affection from tourists, was found dead between the education centre and the restaurant.

At the time of going to press, they were awaiting post-mortem to ascertain the cause of death.

He said they did not identify any foreign objects in the animal’s body and its ivory was found intact.

“Noody was an icon. He was friendly to people and his favourite places were the restaurant, Makongwa campsite where tourists lodged, game rangers places, and the education centre. He was one of our selling rhinos, whom tourists found with ease when animals were scarce,” he said.

Mr Baiphethi disclosed that Noddy was hand-raised in Zimbabwe and donated to Botswana in 2007 to counter black rhinoceros extinction.

He said he was brought to Botswana at 17 years and he died at the age of 27 after siring three offsprings with ‘Chinga’.

He said his life was short-lived as rhinos were estimated to live up to 45 years.

Its first offspring, he said, was taken to the deep areas in the Okavango, in Mombo area to curb the offspring from challenging its father in the territory as it was beginning to show signs.

He said they are yet to meet with the board and decide how Noddy’s body shall be effectively used as he displayed extraordinary traits.

In an interview, the wildlife veterinary surgeon, Dr Erik Verreynne said he received information that Noddy had been losing weight.

In the wee hours of Monday he assembled a team in search of Noddy to give medical attention.

“We went there on Monday to treat him, but we found that he was already dead. There were signs of a little bit of diarrhea, but we are yet to establish what really caused the death. We are working on sending samples to a pathologist to determine his death,” he disclosed.

Dr Verreynne, who has been working with the animals said 'Noddy was such a gentle soul with people even when I had to dart him’ who loved rubbing, often against vehicles.

However, solving differences with his reflection in the restaurant windows and other rhinos, was done the only way black rhinos know - with force.

He said the number one killer of rhinos in the country was not viral diseases or poaching as measures had been put in place to alleviate such.

“Most of the rhinos are lost due to fighting, the bulls outnumber the females and so there is too much fighting.

Maybe we should exchange bulls for females with other countries,” he suggested.

Meanwhile, Mr Baiphethi noted that they had witnessed growth in the number of tourists over the years.

He said the rhino population was gradually increasing and so far the conservation area boasts of an increase of 25 per cent for both black and white rhinos. ENDS