We met up with Thando, our new South African SANparks Research Assistant, to go into the field, move the camera traps to new locations and train him on the sample-collection methods.

SANparks Research Assistant Thando Mendele learning how to collect black rhino fecal samples.

Out in the field we found the black rhino calf that was ear-notched earlier in the week. He seemed to have completely recovered and is doing well. Last year, we spent the entire trip to Addo Elephant National Park without seeing a black rhino. So far, we have seen one every day that we have been in the field. It’s very difficult to spot them with all of the thick brush. You look for the “boulder” on the hillside.

Today, we also collected three fecal samples for analysis. Hoping to relocate more of the camera traps, we ended the day looking for rhino scrapings in the main camp of the park.

Rachel Santymire