Thandi (rhinoceros)

Thandi is a female Southern white rhinoceros living in Kariega Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. She is the first known rhinoceros to have survived being poached.

Background
Thandi grew up in Kariega Game Reserve with several other rhinoceroses. After the poaching incident, she was named Thandi, a Swahili word which translates to "courage".

Poaching incident
On the second of March, 2012, Thandi and two other rhinoceroses were poached in Kariega Game Reserve. One died overnight, but Thandi and another rhinoceros were found by wildlife conservationists. With the help of the other conservationists, Dr. William Fowlds treated the rhinoceroses for their injuries. The other rhinoceros was named Themba and survived for another month before succumbing to his injuries, but the conservationists managed to save Thandi. It is suspected that the poachers tranquilized the rhinoceroses and used a machete to dehorn them.

Breeding
Nearly three years after being poached, Thandi gave birth to a calf on 13 January 2015.