In state-owned reserves like the Kruger National Park, losses/mortalities of rhinos due to complications associated with immobilisation amount to roughly 5% of all procedures. Although there are always risks involved when immobilising large mammals like rhinos, Rhino Rescue Project’s mortality rate of only 0.73% (over a 5 year period) indicates that the infusion procedure carries minimal risks to the animals.
With current poaching rates resulting in the loss of at least 4 animals per day, it is our belief that the relatively small risk associated with immobilisation (for purposes of infusion, translocation or for medical procedures) is far outweighed by the potential benefits.