Florida Zoo Trains Rhino to Accept Eye Care

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A Florida zoo team journeyed to Zimbabwe to aid a white rhino named Thunza battling a parasitic eye infection near Hwange National Park.

Part of the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative, the effort aims to reintroduce southern white rhinos to communal lands, fostering local conservation commitment.

Palm Beach Zoo CEO Margo McKnight spotted the issue during her visit.

“This rhino had bleeding eyes. He was rubbing his eyes,” said Mark Butcher, managing director at a supporting safari lodge.

“And I was looking at a potential where this guy was gonna lose his eyesight. And this is in a pilot project that’s got fantastic vision for a future for conservation throughout Africa.”

The team proposed desensitizing Thunza to human care, similar to methods used on zoo animals.

“Believe me, we didn’t think of it; it was a completely ridiculous idea to us,” said Daniel Terblanche, security manager at the lodge.

“But without trying all of the things that we could to rectify that situation, we would have been in trouble, I think.”

Using favorite foods, they lured him into corrals, then gradually introduced water sprays, petting, and horn handling to build trust.

Within two weeks, Thunza accepted eye drops, and locals learned to continue treatment if needed.

The team departed optimistic about his recovery and the subspecies’ future, as southern white rhinos remain the most numerous despite poaching threats.

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