A South African rhinoceros that was brutally attacked by poachers is recovering and a Barrie medical company had a big role to play.
The rhino named Hope was attacked by poachers who cut off her horns and parts of her face last year.
News of the attack reached Jenifer Barnes, VP of global surgical sales with Southmedic, while speaking with a South African veterinarian at a conference in Dubai.
The vet was curious if one of her company’s medical tools could aid with the rhino’s recuperation. The device in question is used to stretch and pull human skin back together after surgery.
“We know that this product works on human tissue… would it work on this armour that rhinoceros have?”
The Barrie company decided to send the system to South Africa so it could be used for Hope’s facial reconstruction.
"Worst case scenario we'll prevent any further retraction of her wound,” says Barnes. “Best case scenario, with any luck, we'll be able to close it."
After trying eight or nine other procedures, the Southmedic system is the first one Hope is tolerating.
She’s running around and hasn't tried to rub the dressing off
Next week doctors will be removing Hope's dressing and will get their first glimpse of how she is responding to the therapy.
To learn more about Southmedic, you can visit their website or Facebook page.
