Jacques ODell, [03 Jun 2024 at 13:27:55]: Hello colleagues. Are there any legal reasons not to move/translocate white rhinos on a frequent basis, or is it simply ‘best practice’ and that it should only be done when absolutely crucial? (As like what is prescribed for elephant translocation in the norms and standards) TIA Gary Bauer, [03 Jun 2024 at 18:16:35]: Those that move many more rhino than I - we applied for permits in February and these were approved last week. The move was scheduled for tomorrow and involves at least 24hrs on the road and through very cold regions of the country, most likely through the night. I called off the operation because of the cold weather currently being experienced. Now my question. Should this operation be postponed till spring or can the cold be mitigated against successfully, e.g attempting to insulate the crates? Would not traveling at night with a halfway overnight stop, or any other way be better? Advice and thoughts would be appreciated. Pierre Nel, [03 Jun 2024 at 18:47:41]: Probably a few factors, probably more complex than just the trip. A few that comes to mind: 1) Moving when temperatures rise again will be better - say in a week or two. 2) most of travel should be during warmest times of day to minimize chill factor 3) use crates that are more closed or covered. 4) what are the body reserves of rhino? 5) compare average temperature at origin compared to destination, and associated adaptation risk 6) availability of high ground at destination. If cold area have a 3-5 deg C difference between valleys and hills, this can mean the difference between dying or survival even in farms close to each other. 6) ages & stress at the release site 7) food quality at destination compared to origin. Gary Bauer, [03 Jun 2024 at 18:55:21]: Thanks very much Pierre. Most of factors you raise are favourable for my situation. The origin and destination temperature are pretty similar - in fact, the destination is probably milder than origin. The biggest concern I have is travelling for about half of the time in temperature possibly below 0 and certainly below 10 deg... Louis Greeff, [03 Jun 2024 at 20:19:47]: Gary, put hay in crates, close crates on top. Definitely don’t translocate them this week - wait a few days until it is warmer. Don’t translocate rhinos from sweetveld to sourveld areas in winter. Rather wait till spring or even summer – the other way around can be done at any time. Otherwise adapt them to a hay supplement, and feed it at the end destination for the winter period until the spring flush has started. Gary Bauer, [03 Jun 2024 at 21:21:36]: Thanks Louis. Appreciate the help...
