RHINO CAPTURE

In the early days of the church, Oliver Cowdry once said, "These were days never to be forgotten."  Today was one of those days for us.  We had the incredible experience of participating in a "Rhino Capture."  For those of you who still believe we are on vacation - consider this a "humanitarian project."   President Donelley, the former Madagascar mission president, took us and 8 other senior missionary couples to Kruger National Park where we helped capture a Rhino.  Rhino's are a fast disappearing species.  250 have been poached in South Africa in 2012.  They are hunted for their horn - which brings in about $200,000.00 and then is ground into powder and sold for millions. Just last week a poacher was caught and shot on the spot.

Using a helicopter to find a rhino, we darted it and then inserted a micro chip into the horn so it can be tracked and caught if it is poached.  We had to put socks in his ears so he could not hear us, a towel over its eyes so she could not see us, and then we held it while we took it's temperature, took a DNA sample, and notched its ears so it could later be identified. (Notice the dart in her rear...)

After the procedure, which took about 30 minutes, "Sister Lulu" as we named her, she was given another shot to help her wake up.  We ran for the truck and waited until she was able to stand and return to her family.

To be this close to a rhino and participate in something like this was an inspiring and very rare opportunity.  I had to keep pinching myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

On Sunday we had Sacrament Meeting in the bush - we used hamburger buns for the bread, and the water was served in large white paper cups.  Music was provided by a harmonica along with several birds.  It was such an incredible feeling, sitting in the shade of a tree so close to nature having sacrament meeting.  

This whole experience was magical - one not soon to be forgotten.  We have been so blessed in so many ways!