A light constant drizzle has accentuated the gloom hanging over Sunday’s events. Tsvubu, the earless black rhino, has died. It is always a difficult one to deal with when you’ve been working with these animals trying to do whatever is possible to keep them in their natural environment, but also offer what protection one can.
In his usual spot near Nduna dam, Tsvubu eventually took his last steps as the hyenas jumped on his weakened back legs. There are signs that Tsvubu put up a little struggle but was over powered as the hyenas began feeding on him while his life slipped away.
These territorial battles between the black rhinos are part of a rhino’s natural environment forcing them to move into wider areas. For some reason, once they begin fighting amongst each other it rarely ends well, the weaker invariably gets taken out of the equation instead of moving on.
So what was an ordinary Sunday drive spent with an elephant in the hills, ended with these tenebrous happenings. After reconstructing what happened, the necessary dehorning had to be done. I headed back to the carcass later in the evening and waited for the scavengers to arrive. Nothing showed up, so I was certain by this morning they would be there, but I was wrong again. Besides a few vultures tugging at the loose skin it seems Tsubu’s body has been respectfully left to decompose.
This is unbearably sad.
When he finally closed his eyes, he looked so
bony weary tired.
Terrible that something couldn’t have been done earlier to help save the animal
I really don’t understand why they talk so much about black rhino’s being endangered. Yet didn’t save this one and put it in a refuge a long time ago. It’s very confusing.
This is sad. The mighty Black Rhino “Tsvubu”. I too feel as many of you, but also understand the nature of things in the wild. We are saddened but knew it was only a matter of time for him.
I would like to thank Wildcast for bring us closer to Nature. I for one am truly grateful. I would never be able to see all that you bring [life and death] to me via my computer if you were not there doing so. I my never get to visit the mighty lands that the Rhino’s walked, so for that Thank you. Even if the story doesn’t always turn out the way we want it, that’s Nature.
I look at this as a new adventure everyday. Tsvubu was apart of that adventure and I thank you for sharing his story as only Wildcast can do.
I think some readers don’t understand the difference between reserves/national parks and zoos.
You’ve done a beautiful tribute of Tsvubu. I know many of us wish to have him taken in and restored to health, but I also understand this is not possible in this situation. This was a wild animal and even though efforts were made to heal his injuries, nature was a much stronger force. Thank you for this respectful tribute. It brought me to tears.
How terribly sad to see such a powerful creature brought down. Once he was constantly picked on by the bigger rhino Tsvubu’s days were numbered. At least now his suffering is over.
When I viewed the previous clip with the missing ears, I didn’t think he could last in the wild being so weak. I hate to see animals die, but in the wild the balance of nature and food for others is the plan.
Do you know of his approximate age? Was he ill from something, or perhaps this isn’t the first attack since the ears were gone.
I so appreciate the wonderful and varied glimpses you show us of African life.
A question. Why is it necessary to remove the horns from the deceased rhino?
A sad ending for a beautiful creature. I too wonder how old he was, and wonder if we will ever know why they will stay and fight rather than find new territory.
Kelly they remove the horn so that it doesn’t not end up in the wrong hands (poachers) and eventually sold.
Kim,
This is very sad, poor dude.
Other than putting Tsvubu in a refuge, this was a sad but inevitable tale. I do think,however, that as with putting down rabid wild dogs, perhaps intervention may be made to shorten the animal’s suffering.
he was about 3 years old. We don’t know if he had other problems and maybe even his hearing was impaired which didn’t help him. With his ear deformity, we don’t know if there was other stuff wrong with him. maybe he wasn’t able to breed. in which case of course the wildlife refuge idea wouldn’t have helped an important cause.
the horns were removed cos they are so prized by poachers, fetching astronomical prices. It’s not a very pleasant thing to do but it has to be done.
Removing the horn is far better than seeing a lot of rhinos butchered for human greed.