Pieter Venter submitted this series of photographs to Latest Sightings. He took them while visiting the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa.
Unicorn sighting
Pieter told Latest Sightings that he was on his way to Tweerivieren in the park when he decided to stop in at the Houmoed Waterhole. As he pulled up, he took in the golden light of the late afternoon, revelling in the tranquil setting.
There were a few animals standing in the vicinity, of which a lone gemsbok (South African oryx) caught his attention.
At the best of times, gemsbok are very striking antelopes. Their distinctive black and white facial markings make them easily identifiable. Their other characteristic trait is a pair of long, needle-like horns that are typically quite straight.
Obvious deformity
However, as he looked closer, Pieter realised that there was something amiss with this individual.
One of its horns curled severely over its head instead of growing straight, giving the animal a noticeably deformed appearance.
Making matters worse, it seemed that the horn in question had grown in such a way that it actually penetrated the unfortunate antelope’s head.
A closer look
On closer inspection, we see that the horn enters the skin just behind the left ear.
From there, it appears to have grown between the skin and the base of the animal’s skull, before exiting again on the right-hand side of the neck.
One can only imagine how uncomfortable it must have been for the poor gemsbok to endure. Gemsbok horns reportedly grow at a relatively fast rate.
Even so, for the suffering animal, it must have been an excruciating few months as the growing horn crept through its flesh.
Acceptable condition
Despite its injury, the gemsbok’s body looks to be in fair condition in these photos. However, other images of what is presumed to be the same animal have emerged on social media.
In these, the gemsbok looks severely emaciated, with speculation that it did not have long to live.
Difficult decision
For Pieter, the sighting was both fascinating and distressing. “We were torn,” Pieter explains. “We wanted to help, but we also knew we couldn’t interfere with nature.
“So, after some deliberation, we made the difficult decision to leave the Gemsbok behind and continue with our drive.”
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Non-intervention policy
For any visitor to a national park, this is the tough but correct decision. Park management only intervenes when an animal’s well-being has been compromised by human-induced causes.
It is highly probable that park authorities were well aware of the oryx’s deformity and had determined to let Nature take its course. As it happens, horn deformities in gemsbok are not all that unusual, with numerous instances recorded in the past.
The possible causes for such deformities include damage to the horn as it emerged from the skull, genetic anomalies, and damage during combat.
More about gemsboks
These antelopes are a desert-adapted species, evolved to survive in harsh, arid environments of the Namib and Kalahari deserts.
They live in small herds of between 10 and 40 animals, led by a dominant male. They feed on both leaves and grass, occasionally digging up wild melons and cucumbers, relished for their moisture content.
Neglected Senior Pup Finally Learns What Love Feels Like After He Meets His New Family
For the past ten years of his life, all Conrad, a senior Beagle, knew was neglect and abuse.
He was found in horrific shape in one of the city shelters, completely shut down from everything.
Despite his situation being vague, Conrad’s shape spoke for itself. He was severely malnourished, had rotten teeth, and was deeply depressed. This skin-and-bones dog knew nothing but suffering for the last decade, but all that was about to change within days!
Conrad’s Heartbreaking Backstory
Source: Beagle Freedom Project
Conrad was on the way to being euthanized by the shelter he was found in when the Beagle Freedom Project team, from Los Angeles, California, came across his story.
After ten long years in a home where he knew nothing but neglect, Conrad ended up being a shelter dog with zero chance for a new start. But, the BFP team acted timely!
In coordination with their partnering rescue groups, Beagle Freedom Project took Conrad in, ready to give him the transformation of a lifetime.
In the video posted by this Californian rescue, Kait, the social media manager, explains that this senior boy hasn’t had an easy life.
“This poor boy is in horrific condition. As you can see he is severely emaciated, he’s skin and bone, his hips are sticking out, his spine is sticking out, he has extremely dry skin,” Kait, BFP’s social media manager, says in the video.
However, thanks to the community and his amazing caregivers, Conrad was given a new chance in no time.
After weeks of care, TLC, and dental surgery, Conrad finally found a glimmer of hope that things might eventually end well!
The Most Wonderful News
Source: Beagle Freedom Project
Conrad’s incredible transformation took everyone by surprise!
Despite all odds, this senior boi showed remarkable spirit and resilience, which eventually resulted in his speedy recovery!
“We are excited to share that after a month of intensive care, healthy meals, and dental surgery, Conrad is feeling much better. He is finding joy in life again— exploring, playing, and even digging through the trash like a typical beagle,” the rescue wrote in an update post.
Source: Beagle Freedom Project
But, that wasn’t about it for sweet Conrad. In the same post, the rescue announced the greatest update about this lovely dog. After spending a few meaningful weeks in a new foster home, his dad couldn’t help but go all in for Conrad!
Instead of helping him find a new home, Conrad’s foster decided to make him a permanent member of the family.
“His incredible foster dad fell in love with him and decided to ADOPT him. Conrad has a forever family,” the rescue added.
After a lifetime of neglect and abuse, Conrad will finally have a nice, cozy home and a family to love him. And, that’s pretty much everything he had been looking for this entire time.
We wish you the best golden years of your life, sweet boi!
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