The Wildlife Docs Season 5 Episode 7 Saving Wild Rhinos in South Africa
- April 28, 2018
In season 5 episode 7 of The Wildlife Docs, titled "Saving Wild Rhinos in South Africa", viewers are taken on a journey to the savannas of Southern Africa to witness the efforts being made to save one of the world's most endangered species - the rhinoceros. The episode highlights the tireless work of conservationists trying to protect these magnificent creatures from the poaching that has decimated their populations over the past few decades.
The episode begins in Kruger National Park in South Africa, where Dr. Antoinette van de Water and her team are on a mission to track down a rhinoceros in need of treatment. Van de Water is a pioneering wildlife veterinarian who works with the non-profit organization, Saving the Survivors. The group specializes in providing care to rhinos that have been injured by poachers, and in some cases, are close to death. The team understands that their work is a race against time, as every minute spent tracking down injured rhinos could mean the difference between life and death.
Once the team has located the injured rhino, they must tranquilize it in order to provide medical attention. The process of tranquilizing a rhinoceros is dangerous and requires great skill and experience, but the team is dedicated and approach the task with calm precision. The rhino is sedated without incident, and the team prepares to conduct a thorough medical examination. They find that the animal has been shot in the leg, likely in an attempt to remove its horn. In the past, rhino horns have been highly prized for their supposed medicinal properties, as a status symbol, and as a luxury item. The illegal demand for rhino horn is one of the primary reasons for the alarming decline in rhino populations in the wild.
After successfully treating the injured rhino, the Saving the Survivors team heads to a nearby rhino orphanage. There they meet with a team from the African Wildlife Foundation who have developed innovative technology to track and protect rhinos from poachers. The technology includes high-tech collars with transmitters that can detect the location of the rhinos in real-time. It also includes a highly trained K-9 unit that can track poachers and intercept them before they reach the rhinos.
As the episode unfolds, viewers are educated about the devastating effects of poaching on rhino populations in Southern Africa, and the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these amazing animals from extinction. The Wildlife Docs team is committed to spreading this message and to helping conservationists fight the poaching crisis by sharing the stories of activists on the front lines.
In conclusion, Saving Wild Rhinos in South Africa is a compelling episode of The Wildlife Docs. Viewers are taken on a journey that reveals the risks of poaching and the vital work being done to save these incredible animals from extinction. This episode will leave viewers inspired and motivated, and will undoubtedly spark conversations and raise awareness about the urgent need for rhino conservation.