What does it take to relocate a rhino? These dramatic pictures show how it's done

Operations Manager Marius Kruger (back) and members of the Kruger National Park Veterinary Wildlife Services in South Africa guide a sedated white rhinoceros toward a loading truck in the Kruger National Park on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Members of the Kruger National Park Veterinary Wildlife Services in South Africa checks on a darted white rhinoceros on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Patrick Themby (centre) and Ben Boloyi (left) readies the guide rope as members of the Kruger national Park Veterinary Wildlife Services in South Africa ensure the young white rhinoceros is properly handled during a capture on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Members of the Kruger National Park Veterinary Wildlife Services in South Africa guide a sedated white rhinoceros toward a loading truck in the Kruger National Park on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Ben Baloyi a member of the Kruger National Park Veterinary Wildlife Services in South Africa drills a hole in the horn of a white rhinoceros to implant a identification microchip on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Ben Baloyi (left) and Thomas Mahori (back) members of the Kruger National Park Veterinary Wildlife Services in South Africa guide a sedated white rhinoceros toward a loading truck in the Kruger National Park on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Members of the Kruger National Park Veterinary Wildlife Services in South Africa guide a sedated white rhinoceros toward a loading truck in the Kruger National Park on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Dr Marius Kruger (left) and members of the Kruger National Park Veterinary Wildlife Services keeps a white rhinoceros balanced during a relocation program on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

A member of the Kruger National Park game capture team implants a identification microchip in a white rhinoceros on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

DNA samples taken from a white rhinoceros in the Kruger National Park in South Africa on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Members of the Kruger National Park Veterinary Wildlife Services in South Africa guide a sedated white rhinoceros toward a loading truck in the Kruger National Park on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Operations manager Marius Kruger (right) and Kruger National Park's head veterinarian Marcus Hofmyer blindfold a young white rhinoceros to minimise stress during a capture on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

An immobilised white rhinoceros receives oxygen during a relocation capture in the Kruger National Park in South Africa on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Patrick Themby (right) readies the guide rope as members of the Kruger National Park Veterinary Wildlife Services in South Africa ensure the young white rhinoceros is properly sedated before handling the animal on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Ben Boloyi (left) and Dr Marius Kruger (right), members of the Kruger National Park Veterinary Wildlife Services in South Africa, gently helps a young sedated white rhinoceros to get on its feet on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Dr Jenny Hewllet, a veterinarian at the Kruger National Park, injects a white rhinoceros with a sedative on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Members of the Kruger National Park Veterinary Wildlife Services in South Africa guide a sedated white rhinoceros toward a loading truck in the Kruger National Park on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Members of the Kruger National Park Veterinary Wildlife Services in South Africa loads a container containing a rhinoceros on the back of a transport truck in the Kruger National Park during a relocation capture on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Members of the Kruger National Park Veterinary Wildlife Services in South Africa guide a sedated white rhinoceros toward a loading truck in the Kruger National Park on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Members of the Kruger National Park Veterinary Wildlife Services in South Africa guide a sedated white rhinoceros toward a loading truck in the Kruger National Park on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Dr Marius Kruger (centre) and members of the Kruger National Park keep the head of a rhinoceros up during relocation on Oct 17, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

Updated

Published

Oct 18, 2014, 06:10 PM

SOUTH AFRICA - Just what does it take to relocate a rhinoceros? A whole bunch of people and a lot of work, as these dramatic pictures show.

Members of the Kruger National Park Veterinary Wildlife Services in South Africa moved four rhinos from a high-risk poaching area to a safer part of the 19,633 sq km park as part of an ongoing strategic rhino management plan.

The animals had to be sedated and microchipped, and DNA samples were extracted. They were then led, while blindfolded, into containers, which were transported via a truck to a secret area of the park.

Take a look at the process in the gallery above.

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