I learned earlier about an anti poaching ranger at Mokore Safaris that had been badly gored by a female rhino. He was in ICU and sadly passed earlier today. His name was Knowledge, for those of you that have hunted at Mokore, maybe you met him. The Duckworth’s have a venue set up for donations to his family if anyone is so inclined and I’ve notified whom I think is still running DSC Frontline (no board info on their website and I’m told that half of that board, too, has resigned). Hopefully, they will contact the Duckworth crew and get enough info that a grant might go to this poor gentleman’s family. May he rest in peace.

Sad news indeed. This happened during my last day on Hammond, but we didn’t hear anything about it then. I wondered which property it happened on.

As thick as the bush is, how many elephants, buffalo, rhinos and lions wander around the Savé and the large number of anti-poaching teams are patrolling the properties, it’s surprising these tragedies don’t happen more often. We saw two man teams wandering the roads, usually armed only with radios, more days than not.

May he rest in peace.

My wife and I (plus another couple) were next door on Humani when this happened. I traded WhatsApp messages with Guy Whittall this morning and asked if he add any information about whether the Duckworths are getting anything set up for donations. He's checking and will let me know.

Knowledge evidently bumped the old gal (with a young calf beside her) in thick brush. When she hit him, the horn penetrated his stomach, punctured his diaphragm and went on to tear up one lung. Ribs broken plus other bones...a minor miracle that they got him to Harare alive at all. I understand that he also had an injury to the back of his head but don't know the extent. Newly married with a baby on the way. Just tragic.

We saw rhino multiple times while we were there, including a bull (and four mates) we bumped into at about 40 steps in the thick riverine. Thankfully, we had the wind and, after getting a great piece of video, we slipped out of there. Anybody out there a wizard at posting video? Pretty sure it's above my pay grade...

Wait. Let's try this. June 7th post. Humani Rhino

Information from the Save Valley Conservancy on Knowledge and details on donating to the young family he leaves behind.

Donation info

Jane and I will be contributing.

Mark

I had a message from the Save Conservancy this morning telling me that they had been contacted by Frontline Foundation and were providing info needed for a grant to be considered. Should be an easy grant to review.

Sorry to hear about that ranger but I can see how it would happen. That bush was very thick and dense. Very difficult to see where everything is even close.
As I said on another post. I was over in the Save from May3 to May 14 and we saw (I believe) one anti poaching team a few times and one had shotgun other AK and a maligator (dog) that looked like he just wanted to bite.
We saw twice the guy with Rhino Force on a flat that was using a drone to track one of the Rhinos that they had intel that told them was under imminent threat. Buffalo were in the thick bush with calves and extremely touchy and the Elephants were numerous and very aggressive in the same. Never saw a Rhino.

https://allafrica.com/stories/202506110284.html

Zimbabwe: Ranger Dies After Rhino Attack

11 June 2025
New Zimbabwe (London)
By Tapiwa Svondo

A Save Valley Conservancy wildlife ranger, Knowledge Mudzimureka, has succumbed to the severe injuries he sustained in a rhino attack.

Mudzimureka died on June 8, two weeks after the attack, which happened during a routine patrol.

"On 26th May 2025, Knowledge, accompanied by one other ranger, was on a routine patrol, tracking a different rhino when they unexpectedly encountered a mother black rhino and her calf. The rhino cow severely injured Knowledge, who sustained wounds to his abdomen, particularly his left lung, as well as to his head, shoulder, and knee.

"Knowledge was immediately evacuated on an ACE Air Ambulance and received exceptional care from the medical team at a private hospital in Harare," reads a statement by Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo.

"He underwent two serious operations; on arrival to stabilise him, and a subsequent procedure to address a critical infection in his lungs.

"Knowledge had started to turn a corner, and the doctors were expressing optimism and positivity, his passing has shocked our entire community with grief."

The Zimparks will hold a burial service in honour of Mudzimureka.

Another Zimparks ranger was trampled to death by an elephant in Kariba. The fatal accidents underscore the increasing risks faced by the frontline conservation workers.