US zoo's 'ridiculous' plan helps save wild rhino's eyesight in Africa

Behaviorists from Palm Beach Zoo and Precision Behavior trained a southern white rhino in Zimbabwe to accept eyedrops, treating a parasitic infection and protecting the animal's eyesight; local staff were taught to continue daily medication.

Animal behaviorists from the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society and the founders of Precision Behavior traveled to Zimbabwe in August to treat a southern white rhino named Thuza for a life‑threatening parasitic eye infection. Thuza had bleeding eyes and was at risk of losing his sight, which also threatened a pilot reintroduction project supported by Imvelo Safari Lodges and the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative. The team adapted techniques used at the zoo to coax Thuza into a confined space with food and desensitise him to touch and water on his face. Over a short period they were able to apply eyedrops and then train local staff to maintain the treatment. Key details: - The idea of training a wild rhino to accept eye medication was described by a local security manager as initially "completely ridiculous," though it was tried because of the animal's dire condition. - Thad and Angi Lacinak from Precision Behavior led the work, using food, gradual desensitisation to touch, and simulated water sprays to condition Thuza to hold still for eye drops. - Within about a week the team was applying medication directly to Thuza's eyes, and by two weeks they had transferred the skill set to Daniel Terblanche and the anti‑poacher guards. - Palm Beach Zoo CEO Margo McKnight learned of Thuza's condition during a visit; Imvelo Safari Lodges managing director Mark Butcher had warned the animal risked losing eyesight and that this could jeopardise the reintroduction effort. - Southern white rhinos are listed as near threatened, with about 16,000 animals remaining in the wild, and the species continues to face threats from poaching and habitat loss. - Sources report that Thuza is receiving daily medication and that staff say the rhinos are thriving following the intervention. Summary: The training intervention prevented expected vision loss for Thuza and helped protect the pilot reintroduction programme's prospects by placing treatment in local hands. Local staff are now administering daily eye medication and the technique has been transferred to them. Broader conservation threats to the species, including poaching and habitat loss, remain relevant to the project's long‑term success.