ROBERT SOBUKWE TOWN – A black rhinoceros that was found wandering on the R63 between Robert Sobukwe Town (formerly Graaff-Reinet) and Pearston on the morning of 10 September was safely darted and removed from the road.
Eastern Cape Department of Transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the department was alerted to the rhino at about 06:30 by a passerby who notified law enforcement.
“Once authorities got to the scene shortly thereafter, the road was closed at about 07:30,” said Binqose.
He said the rhino was subsequently darted, with a veterinarian assisting with the animal before it was loaded and safely removed from the road.
Binqose said the road was reopened at 09:30.
He said traffic law enforcement officers were deployed to manage traffic while the operation was under way.
“The measures taken by the department were to close the road so that motorists do not drive into the rhino, and we assisted the veterinarian and their team to move the rhino to ensure that the animal is removed safely,” said Binqose.
He said, thankfully, no one was injured during the incident and the rhino was also unharmed.
According to Binqose, no other animals were seen in the vicinity and the rhino appeared to have been alone.
He was unable to comment on where the rhino had come from.
