Mimi Magic Part 1

Mimi's story begins on a hopeful note. Born at Sibuya Game Reserve in 2022, she is the first White Rhino to be born to an orphaned mother, herself the survivor of a poaching incident. A glimmer of life, in a difficult context, for an endangered species.

South Africa is home to the White and Black Rhino, two endangered species, mainly as a result of human activity and poaching. Sibuya is a testament to the fight being waged day after day to protect its Rhinos.

Like most game reserves in South Africa, Sibuya Game Reserve is privately owned. It was in 2004 that Nick and Carol Fox and Fenella Lawrenson, the current owners, invested in a family project.

The name Sibuya reflects the philosophy of the operation:

“Sibuya” means “We return”…

A place to come back to, for wild animals and guests alike.

Sibuya has evolved little by little, a refuge for the animals and operated with respect for the environment.

The amount of game drive vehicles circulating on the reserve at one time is limited and the rangers constantly communicate so as not to cross paths. It's a unique experience for customers who are immersed in a privileged environment. Sibuya has one main objective: to develop diversity. More than 400 species of birds live side by side with no fewer than 45 species of wild animal, including the famous Big 5, the most dangerous on the planet.

The White Rhinoceros is one of the iconic species, a challenge for the reserve. As the property extends over 36sqkm (3’600ha), the threat of poaching is a constant pressure. A team of Anti-poachers is dedicated 24 hours a day to monitor this species, which is so coveted for its horn. Made from the same material as our human fingernails, Rhinoceros horn has been transported from Africa to China, Korea and Vietnam for hundreds of years for use in traditional medicine. It is reputed to be an aphrodisiac and even to have healing powers for certain cancers. Although science refutes these beliefs, they continue to haunt all species of Rhinoceros. Since the ban on the Rhino horn trade in 1977, poachers have been supported by criminal gangs, equipped with sophisticated weapons and equipment to hunt down these vulnerable and endangered animals.

The aim of the Anti-poaching teams is to act quickly. The animals are often mutilated by the heartless hacking off of their horns, leaving them to die slowly in their own blood. Because there's no question of losing even a precious gram of horn, the criminals slash right down into the face, generally with chain saws or axes, damaging the sinuses and sometimes the optic nerves. The brutal “operation” is carried out without mercy on drugged and immobilized animals (the substance deprives them of the slightest movement). Frozen, but without anesthetic, the Rhinos feel the pain and agonize in silence. Their young usually do not flee. When they’re not also prey for the criminals, frightened and traumatized, they stay by their mother's side, witnessing the massacre. Frequently in their distress, they rush in to help their mother and are then attacked with axes or shot so that they do not get in the way of the poachers - as was the case with Mimi.

Sibuya is well aware of the risks. A potent high-voltage electric fence runs around the reserve and is permanently maintained to protect against assailants. A team of Anti-poachers is trained and ready at a moment's notice.

During 2016, the first poaching incident hit Sibuya.

Bingo, the father of all Sibuya baby Rhino at the time, was mutilated and left to die but was revived the next day by the Vet. Sadly, as a result of the severity of his wounds, he was blinded by the incident and it was only a day later that his condition was discovered. Tragically, being blind, he had fallen down a bank into the estuary and for a whole day the team struggled to assist him to find his way out, but sadly failed. The heart-breaking and tragic decision was made that Bingo had to be euthanized otherwise he would have drowned with the incoming tide.

Tragically Bingo’s herd, two female Rhinos, had also been slaughtered where they peacefully slept with their calves. Noelle (2 1/2 months old) and Binky (11mths) - two baby females - were now orphaned and had borne witness to the death of their mothers. Traumatized, they could not have survived without their mother’s milk and care in the wild. They had to be darted and transferred to a Rehabilitation Hospital for 24hour monitoring and feeding. Baby Noelle was bottle-fed specialized Rhino milk formula every 2 hours by a small team of dedicated carers.

Binky joined and bonded with another older orphaned Rhino called Courage. The two of them were kept in a larger paddock under strict surveillance. They needed this respite to regain their strength, overcome the trauma and find their bearings again. Binky, considerably older, was the first to be successfully reintroduced to Sibuya, with her friend Courage, who Sibuya purchased because they couldn’t bear to separate them! He became a new member in the Sibuya Rhino herd!

Fortunately, Noelle was not alone either. Another even younger orphaned Rhino calf, Winston, was brought to the Rehabilitation Hospital. As soon as he arrived, they developed a close-knit, inseparable relationship.

Another friendship born out of horror. Sibuya couldn't think of breaking the bond so they negotiated to purchase Winston, much to Noelle's delight. After a year of tremendous expense and adjustment, they were both ready to be re-wilded. When they were released back onto Sibuya, Winston didn’t let Noelle out of his sight.

It was a huge but stressful adventure to transport two young Rhinos but thankfully all went according to plan!

A very emotional event to all those watching the two young Rhino coming out of their trailers and back to be free on Sibuya.

The group of young Rhinos found their feet again in the safety of Sibuya. Winston and Courage, the two males, and Binky and Noelle. Life returned to normal on Sibuya with a close-knit guard keeping a watchful eye. At this time the Anti-poaching Unit was expanding and arming itself to deter and ward off poachers.

And then there was Covid 19! Shut down! Overnight!

Airlines stopped carrying customers. No more revenue...

The reserve had to virtually close down, but thanks to Nick’s resolve to keep Noah's Ark from sinking, the reserve’s limited ‘behind the scene operations’ were kept ticking but very low-key. Fences were repaired, maintenance operations kept to a minimum.

The game drive cruisers remained in their garages, and the animals returned to an unprecedented level of wild tranquility. Two years of lethargy for the deserted reserve. With no finances, the Anti-poaching team gradually fell apart. Two members remained, the ones to whom Rhinos really counted, driven by a passion for their highly responsible work and dedication to their precious charges.

The Fox family stuck together and managed, only just, to hold out until 2021 when the reserve finally reopened its doors. Fortunately Sibuya's loyal employees answered the call and returned to work. Operations resumed at a slower pace and the customers gradually returned. Again Noelle, Binky, Winston and Courage got used to the sight of the guides' cruisers conveying the visitors. At the beginning of 2022, a new ray of hope lit up Sibuya.

Noelle unexpectedly expanded the Sibuya family by giving birth to her little one.

Mimi, a miracle!

An event welcomed with great joy by the whole reserve.

The hope of peace and prosperity was restored.

Unfortunately, tragically, the calm preceded the storm. In April 2023, Sibuya was hit by another tragedy - an attack by ruthless poachers took place, orchestrated by daring criminals who seemed to know the schedules and the terrain. They were efficient and blatantly daring. Noelle and Binky, both pregnant, were found mutilated and dead.

The whole Sibuya family was heartbroken yet again with this devastating incident.

The group of Rhinos split up during the attack so fortunately, Courage and Winston were unharmed. As for Mimi, she was nowhere to be found. Two helicopter searches were launched immediately to attempt to find the poachers and baby Mimi.

The hunt was on. Hours of nightmare anxiety. The police blocked the roads to arrest the criminals. All of Sibuya was called upon to find Mimi. Without her mother, without food and, as it turned out, severely injured, time was running out. An intense and traumatic situation.

Part 2 and the search for Mimi continues next week.

We would like to thank Laure-Marie Martin and Sibuya Game Reserve for allowing us to share this special story. Please check out the Sibuya Game Reserve website for more information on their accommodation, training, and volunteer programmes.