Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

‘Far-fetched’ plan devised across globe to save rhino in Africa

Endangered animal spotted for first time in 100 years in ‘historic moment’
  • A wild southern white rhino named Thuza in Zimbabwe was successfully treated for a life-threatening parasitic eye infection using an innovative behavioral approach.
  • Animal behaviorists from Precision Behavior, in partnership with the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society, traveled to Africa to implement the strategy.
  • The technique involved coaxing Thuza with food and gradually desensitizing him to human touch, allowing eyedrops to be administered strategically within a week.
  • This intervention was vital for the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative, which is working to reintroduce southern white rhinos to communal lands in Zimbabwe.
  • Thuza's eyesight was successfully protected, and the rhino is now thriving, offering a positive outcome for the near-threatened species.
In full

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in