Our wildlife team generally likes to let nature take its course. The circle of life plays out on the plains of Ol Pejeta every day — predators, prey, survival of the fittest. But when it comes to our rhinos (and other endangered species), all rules go out the window, and we will do whatever it takes to keep them safe and healthy. This month, two of our rhinos needed urgent veterinary treatment, and our expert team was on hand to help.

One of the many benefits of having a team of rangers dedicated to spotting each individual rhino on a daily basis is that they know immediately if something is wrong. When patrolmen spotted Benja, a 7-year-old male black rhino, showing signs of partial blindness earlier this month, they immediately called the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Ol Pejeta vet team, keeping a close watch over him until they arrived.

Vet teams from KWS and Ol Pejeta tending to Benja

When the vet team got to Benja, they knew straight away they would have to sedate him to assess the full extent of the damage. The rhino was immobilised, and closer examination revealed a traumatic injury on his right eye and head. Male rhinos are territorial, and Benja’s injuries are thought to have been sustained in a fight with another male. Topical antibiotics were applied to both eyes and he was given painkillers before being brought round (at which point our vet team made a run for it!). The rangers are reporting significant improvement since the treatment, and will keep Benja under close observation for the next few weeks. Although the team think it highly likely he will never have the use of his left eye again, he is expected to make a good recovery and survive quite happily with one eye in the wild. Rhinos have notoriously poor eyesight anyway.

The second rhino to find himself in bother this month was Patrick. When you picture lion hunts you usually assume the target prey is an antelope, but last week our vet team was surprised to receive a call from rangers reporting a lion attack on the 7-year-old black rhino. Three lions and a lioness were already in full swing of the hunt when the rangers came across them, and bravely chased them away using their vehicle. Patrick suffered right hind leg and spinal/vertebral column injuries, but was treated quickly and efficiently by the vets. He is still under close observation but is expected to make a full recovery.

There is nothing we won’t do for our rhinos.