Dying mother rhino leads her calf to farm lodge and safety after being attacked by poachers on killing spree in South Africa

By LEON WATSON

A dying rhino summoned the strength to save her calf as poachers went on a killing spree on a game reserve in South Africa, keepers said today. The slaughter lasted between three and four days and left maggot-covered carcasses dotted across the landscape at the Finfoot Game Reserve near Sun City in North West province. Gamekeepers said after being shot at, the pride of the reserve named Longhorn realised she would die. But in a final act of bravery she led her 18-month-old calf to the reserve farm's lodge, where she would be safe.

Rhino's on the Finfoot Lake Reserve on November 24 in North West, South Africa Longhorn, who was 24-years-old, was then butchered for her 3ft-long horn. Rhino horn is highly sought after and is sold for around $60000 per kilo (about R532000/kg). Another calf found by gamekeepers did not escape the slaughter - it was found lying next to its mother, butchered for its tiny horn that measured just an inch, Times Live reported. Miles Lappeman heard from his son, Mark, that rhino poachers had hit the farm, the first question he asked was: 'What about Longhorn?'

Five men have been arrested in connection with the massacre and are due to appear at Brits Magistrates' Court next week Longhorn was the first animal Mr Lappeman bought from the Natal Parks Board, and the reason he spent 25 years caring for his breeding herd of White Rhino on his farm. He let out a huge sigh of relief when he learned that Longhorn was not among the seven rhino found killed. But last Monday, Longhorn's body was discovered 300m from the farm's lodge. She had suffered a mortal wound to her stomach.

Since the slaying, seven men have been working around the clock to protect the remainder of the herd Her calf has been taken to a place of safety. Since the slaying, a group of seven men has been working around the clock to protect the remainder of the herd, with the help of Mark Prangley, an anti-poaching operator. Mr Lappeman says it is inevitable that the poachers will return. source: dailymail