/ 20 February 2012

Rhino calf’s sight restored after emergency operation

Rhino Calf's Sight Restored After Emergency Operation

An orphaned rhino calf’s sight has been restored after surgery to remove cataracts, Beeld newspaper reported on Monday.

The calf was blinded when it was hit on the head by poachers.

Yvonne Gioa, owner of the Elandela private game reserve outside Hoedspruit in Mpumalanga, told the newspaper the operation was a miracle.

Roccy, the rhino calf, was taken to the Onderstepoort veterinary research institute on the back of a truck on January 3.

Dr Anthony Goodhead removed two cataracts that had developed on the calf’s retinas.

During a follow up consultation in Hoedspruit this week, Goodhead found that the operation had been a success, and said he was very happy with Roccy’s progress. — Sapa