Black rhino ultrasound.

During the recent dehorning operations on the black rhino on the Rietspruit Conservancy, we took the opportunity to try and find out if the black rhino cow is pregnant. Her calf is now about 4 years old - and so in theory it would be timely for her to be pregnant again.
When her snare injury was examined earlier this year, we took blood samples to send away for testing, which indicated she might be pregnant.
While she was under the anesthetic for the dehorning, Veterinarian Peter Rogers and Nurse Jacky Spiby did an examination and ultrasound. Although it seems she has been mounted and mated – sadly the ultrasound did not reveal any foetus.
Therefore we are continuing veterinary investigations and an option is to treat her with hormones via drop-out darts. As black rhinos are Critically Endangered, every rhino counts.
Thank you to Janine Meuffels and Hemmersbach Rhino Force for undertaking the ultrasound and Wild Response, Kevin Pip and Cassy Zona for supporting the costs.