Known as the “Rhino Whisperer”, game ranger, Justin Terblanche, shares his beautiful life story about his love for rhinos and his determination to protect the critically-endangered species in the documentary, Guardian of the Crash, which will premiere at the Lombardini Game Farm, Jeffreys Bay, on World Rhino Day on September 22.
As a child growing up in Patensie and then Humansdorp, Terblanche has always loved animals.
Going through life as a young boy, he felt inspired to work with animals and protect them at all costs.
It was, however, only later in life when he began working as an anti-poacher on a farm in the Kouga region that he met his first rhino face-to-face, and realised how special they were.
Terblanche said that after his first up-close encounter with a rhino, he knew he wanted to protect the critically-endangered species to the best of his ability.
“It was through this work that I really started to love rhinos. The more I learned about what incredible animals they are the more I developed a passion for them,” said Terblanche.
He said that getting close to the rhinos and building a relationship with them did not happen overnight.
Terblanche said that the three remaining rhinos on the farm, which cannot be named for safety reasons, are wild and traumatised.
“I had to work hard for months to gain their trust. I still have to constantly remind myself that they are wild animals and that I need to stay alert,” said Terblanche.
Suzanne Janeke said that about a year ago she heard “rumours” about a ranger who worked closely with rhinos on a farm in the Kouga region.
“I heard about his passion for his three rhinos, how he connects with them, came within touching distance of them and even takes them for a jog around the camp they were in,” said Janeke.
She said that she was so intrigued by what she had heard that she contacted the local farm and arranged a hike for her family from London.
Here she got to meet with Terblanche, and she became mesmerised by his “work of art” and his love for his rhinos.
“While enjoying the walk through the game farm we saw a variety of buck species, zebra, and even giraffes in the distance, before we made it to the rhino camp,” said Janeke.
She said that Terblanche left them waiting behind the electric cable while he went to “fetch the rhinos”.
To their surprise, after waiting only a few minutes, he walked towards them with three large rhinos following behind and stopped only metres away.
“Justin then started to tell us about the rhinos, their names, their personalities, and what he had learned about each of them,” said Janeke.
Amazed by his connection with the rhinos, Janeke said that she could not help but ask him if she could write his story.
“Little did I know what an amazing story he had since childhood years, through teenage struggles, working as an anti-poacher to where he is today,” said Janeke.
She said that while gathering his information she began thinking about making a documentary.
“We realised that it is a story of hope, passion, and the responsibility of taking care of creation which is something this young man took seriously,” said Janeke.
She said that she began phoning around for assistance, and had a wonderful film company, Ruan Myburgh Films, buy into their vision.
“The documentary is around the beautiful story of Justin, his struggles, and tears. It is also about his dedication to following his passion. Most importantly it is about the serious reality of rhino poaching,” said Janeke.
Finally, after months of dedicating their time and resources to telling Terblanche’s unique story, the documentary, Guardian of the Crash, will premiere on World Rhino Day, on September 22, at Lombardini Game Farm.
The premiere will start at 18:00 and cost R70 for adults and R30 for children.
The documentary will also be made available for viewing after the premiere, on the Guardian of the Crash YouTube channel from September 22.
Janeke said she hopes that the documentary will encourage viewers to pursue their passion in life, be willing to make sacrifices along the way, and continue to dream.
She said that they are also hopeful that viewers will experience an awakening to get involved in the conservation of rhinos, or the wild in a broader sense.
“Through the documentary we want viewers to see that there is hope for the rhino species, all because of organisations and individuals fighting for their survival,” said Janeke.
Since the production of the documentary is crowd-funded and relies on the donations of others, she said that they hope more people or organisations will be interested in partnering with them on the project.
For more information or to purchase tickets for the premiere visit www.guardianofthecrash.co.za or contact Suzanne Janeke on 083 844 3378.
