Florida Zoo's 'Ridiculous' Plan Saves Wild Rhino's Eyesight in Africa

Animal behaviorists partner with Palm Beach Zoo to treat endangered white rhino with life-threatening eye infection.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Animal behaviorists from the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society in Florida traveled to Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park to help an endangered white rhino named Thuza with a severe, parasitic eye infection. Using techniques developed at the zoo, they were able to coax Thuza into a chute and desensitize him to having eye drops administered, ultimately saving his eyesight and the future of the rhino conservation program.

Why it matters

The southern white rhino is listed as near threatened, with only around 16,000 remaining in the wild. Poaching and habitat loss continue to threaten the species, so saving individual rhinos like Thuza is crucial to conservation efforts. The successful treatment of Thuza's eye infection demonstrates how innovative, collaborative approaches can make a real difference for endangered animals.

The details

Thuza, a male white rhino, had a severe, life-threatening parasitic eye infection that was causing bleeding and risked him losing his eyesight. Animal behaviorists from the Palm Beach Zoo traveled to Zimbabwe to work with the anti-poacher scouts from the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative. They developed a plan to coax Thuza into a tight chute, desensitize him to human touch and water sprays, and then administer the necessary eye drops. Within two weeks, the team had successfully transferred the treatment skills to the local scouts, ensuring Thuza's eyes could be cared for on an ongoing basis.

  • In August, animal behaviorists from the Palm Beach Zoo traveled to Zimbabwe.
  • Within about a week, they were able to start putting eye drops in Thuza's eyes.
  • By the end of two weeks, they had trained the local anti-poacher scouts to administer the eye drops.

The players

Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society

A zoo in Florida that partnered with the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative in Zimbabwe to help treat an endangered white rhino.

Thuza

A male white rhino in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park with a severe, parasitic eye infection that was risking his eyesight.

Community Rhino Conservation Initiative

A program in Zimbabwe that engages local communities to reintroduce southern white rhinos to communal lands.

Imvelo Safari Lodges

A safari company in Zimbabwe that supports the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative.

Precision Behavior

A company founded by Thad and Angi Lacinak that specializes in animal behavior and training.

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What they’re saying

“Believe me, we didn't think of it; it was a completely ridiculous idea to us. But without trying all of the things that we could to rectify that situation, we would have been in trouble, I think.”

— Daniel Terblanche, Security Manager, Imvelo Safari Lodges

“This rhino had bleeding eyes. He was rubbing his eyes. And I was looking at a potential where this guy was gonna lose his eyesight. And this is in a pilot project that's got fantastic vision for a future for conservation throughout Africa.”

— Mark Butcher, Managing Director, Imvelo Safari Lodges

“With this few animals in this location in Africa, it was essential that we save all of them. So when they called and said, Thuza is going to lose his eye, a blind rhino is a dead rhino. So no matter what it took, we were going to go over there and try.”

— Angi Lacinak, Co-Founder, Precision Behavior

What’s next

The local anti-poacher scouts will continue to administer eye drops to Thuza and monitor his condition to ensure his eyesight remains protected.

The takeaway

This collaborative effort between a U.S. zoo and African conservation groups demonstrates the power of innovative, hands-on approaches to save endangered species like the southern white rhino. By leveraging expertise and adapting successful techniques, they were able to overcome seemingly 'ridiculous' challenges and make a real difference for Thuza and the broader rhino conservation program.