In 2012, South Africa began airlifting black rhinos upside down from remote terrain to expand their range; the conservation program has since helped establish 17 new populations

Imagine a two-tonne rhino, blindfolded and asleep, dangling from a helicopter by its ankles. It sounds like something from a comedy sketch. However, a 2021 study published in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases found that the unusual technique was an efficient way to help conserve the species. Cornell wildlife veterinarian Robin Radcliffe found that suspending a sedated black rhinoceros upside down had little effect on breathing and may even have helped slightly.

Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!