Last year, TWLF launched a major appeal to offer sanctuary and lifetime care to one of the world’s rarest black rhinoceros, named Munu.
Munu was tragically blinded in territorial fighting and could no longer survive in the wild. This ambitious project to assist this ‘special needs’ rhino became the first major mission for TWLF.
The 20-year-old rhino was in urgent need of help after he lost sight in both eyes. He was discovered walking in circles on a South African Reserve. He was subsequently diagnosed to have detached retinas, presumably from territorial fights in the reserve. It was determined that there was no possibility of him regaining his sight.
The bull is one of the critically endangered south-western sub-species of black rhino. Overall there were 254 at the last official count of South Western black rhinos left alive in South Africa – of which only 80 males are capable of breeding.
Munu is genetically one of the most eligible – and at the age of only 20 will be able to father many more young rhinos – but with two detached retinas, he would not be able to survive in the wild and would fall prey to lions or be killed by another black rhino. In a safe, protected environment he would have the chance to potentially contribute to the survival of his own species.
TWLF launched an urgent appeal, and with your help was able to relocate him to our specially prepared facility in the Eastern Cape in August 2019. He was initially given a 5-hectare enclosure, and as he became more comfortable in his new home, the size of his enclosure was increased until he now has full range on the new reserve. Here we can provide the safety, protection, and the additional care needed to allow him to thrive.
Munu requires a full-time keeper and 24-hour armed security at his new home. Soon we hope to introduce him to a suitable female rhino, and any offspring will be donated to South Africa National Parks (SANparks) to further their conservation efforts of this endangered sub-species.
Press Immediate Release:
The blind black rhino that has inspired a breeding program to protect his species
In late 2018, rangers in South Africa’s Addo National Elephant Park discovered that one of their prized black rhino bulls was behaving erratically in the park. Munu, as the rhino was named at his birth some 16 years before, was darted and thoroughly inspected. It was discovered that he was not only irreversibly blind but that he was also an increasingly rare subspecies of black rhino.
The South African National Parks (SANParks) immediately found help in conservationist Brett Barlow, who took over Munu’s care under a custodianship agreement. Along with eco-tourism stalwart Adrian Gardiner and The White Lion Foundation, Munu found sanctuary at Mantis Founder’s Lodge where a safe and secure boma was created specifically for him. His future was secured.
It was there that American actress and conservationist, Shannon Elizabeth, joined this epic story of hope. “I met Munu while visiting the area and immediately felt a deep pull to him and his future. Brett asked my foundation to assist, and we have jointly participated in his care ever since. It was evident even then that his story was unique but also that his future needed to be secured with compassion, dignity, and purpose and this would be best served through a breeding program in his honor to help to restore the population of his sub species”, says Shannon, whose nonprofit, the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation, has been steadily increasing its impact in the region since early 2019. Barlow concurs that Munu is extraordinary: “In my custodianship agreement with the authorities, we agreed to find a way to breed Munu. He may be blind, but his genetics are pristine, and he is otherwise in great health. Not finding a way to breed him would be an opportunity lost for conservation at large.”
The Shannon Elizabeth Foundation, which now officially runs the Munu conservation initiative, immediately started working with the SANParks team to find a suitable location for a breeding facility. So, it is with great excitement and optimism that the parties recently announced the imminent opening of a facility to care for Munu and his species in the Eastern Cape. With details tightly guarded for security purposes, the news has been met with support from all involved.
“The Eastern Cape is a very special and natural home to black rhinos with abundant land, suitable vegetation, and the right climate to see them thrive. We are very pleased that Munu will continue to receive unrivaled care and kindness as he is moved to a piece of land that is more suitable for the task at hand”, said Gardiner. “We have a rich legacy of conservation in the region. It is exciting that Munu will now carry this shared legacy forward for future generations.”
Barlow concluded by saying, “I know that if Munu could speak, he would voice his gratitude to all involved in his journey so far. We see this in his gentle actions daily. Having unified support from all involved will ensure his bright future and that of the entire species. It’s a story that reminds us that when we are aligned in the best interests of our natural heritage, we can find lasting success together.”
For enquiries, please contact the author, the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation, at firstname.lastname@example.org.
Where Funds Go
Help us build a 3 hectare extension to Munu’s enclosure.
Help us construct a new nursery for orphaned rhino.
Help us build a new rehabilitation and re-wilding bona for rescued and injured rhino