Bossie Boshoff, [22 May 2025 at 08:48:20]: For interest regarding the solar ear tags – these are complications for future consideration and to get to better options or changing the design. Jacques ODell, [22 May 2025 at 08:20:29]: Bossie, is that one animal, or how many? I know hundreds of these have been deployed, and there are mixed feelings. Good science must prevail, and it would be vital to get good stats on this. I have personally had problems with solar tracking devices in rhino ears (as well as cattle ear tags). However, I have also had problems with foot bands and horn implants. There simply isn’t a fail proof risk-free tracking method in rhinos, but we must strive to improve on all methods. Richard Harvey, [22 May 2025 at 08:47:30]: Thanks for this Bossie. How long was the pin on this unit – was it a standard cattle pin, and on a bull or cow? Bossie Boshoff, [22 May 2025 at 08:48:20]: These pictures are only from 2 animals, but all 8 animals showed the same issues. I think the rhino ear is just too thick. The pins looked longer than standard when they were removed. They were in for about a year in these animals, so I am not sure if they stretched a bit. Richard Burroughs, 23 May 2025 Ear tags that I have seen used have given problems under hot and humid conditions in KZN, for example. In winter, the tags were fine, but as the weather became hotter and more humid, exactly these kinds of problems developed. I am not sure what the answer is either. The rhino that are being moved N as part of the African Parks project are going with ankle collars HO Reuter, [22 May 2025 at 09:33:56]: I have used/ trialled a few Ceres tags in white rhino and initially thought in our more arid climate, they were doing OK. But eventually, unfortunately, they caused infection, failed or dropped out. I see a great potential use for them for short periods to monitor animals that may need repeat treatment, or even after translocation release - there must be a commitment to remove once not needed, e.g. wounds healed, or well adapted in new environment. Nele Sabbe, [22 May 2025 at 20:53:19]: I've seen it a lot of times: rhino ears don't do well with tags, no matter what kind of tags😔 Andre Uys, 27 May 2025 This is the answer to ear tag problems. Cut the “pin” of the stud off and replace with a steel threaded bolt. Slide a plastic ferrule over the bolt (I use a section of a Bic ball point pen). Fit a washer and lock nut on the inside of the ear to secure. I also do not use a traditional ear tag applicator but rather drill a hole with a 10 mm drill bit through the ear. This you do as aseptically as possible. This method eliminates any pressure on either surface of the ear - the ideal is if you can make the hole first and allow it to heal before placing the tag. Standard ear tag applicators should be avoided in both black and white rhino. I have done several types of tags like this ranging from small solar tags to pretty large (35g) tags with no issues. If the tag is be positioned in the inner surface of the ear, make sure it sits where it never extends past an ear margin if rotated through 360 degrees. If it does, reposition it and get a smaller tag.
