Durban — Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary is currently caring for a young black rhino orphan after receiving a call from the Kruger National Park about the calf over a week ago.
The rhino, estimated to be about three months old, arrived by helicopter.
Care for Wild founder and chief executive Petronel Nieuwoudt and the team worked to stabilise the calf in the intensive care unit and were by the rhino’s side throughout the night.
Days after landing at Care for Wild, the sanctuary reported that the calf was doing well.
“This critically endangered black rhino calf, who arrived at Care for Wild on Tuesday (last week), is drinking well, and we’ve now removed her blindfold,” Care for Wild said.
“Caregivers have stayed with her around the clock since her arrival. She’s currently feeding every two to three hours and is stable. She has an extremely sweet nature, is gentle and loving, and absolutely adores her milk!
“Now that she recognises her caregivers by smell and sight, we will soon remove her earplugs so she can become familiar with their voices and the other sounds around the ICU. Desensitisation is always a gradual process to ensure the rhino calves aren’t overwhelmed by too much new stimulation at once.”
On Thursday, Care for Wild said that black rhinos are considerably different in personality, temperament, and behaviour compared to white rhinos.
“These differences are particularly noticeable in small calves, which means that the care and rehabilitation programme for a black rhino is quite different from that of a white rhino.”
Care for Wild said this was why they called resident black rhino calf expert, Caregiver Lucas.
The caregiver has worked with multiple black rhinos before and was instrumental in raising a small black rhino calf called Swazi, who has since been rewilded and released.
“Lucas has a magical way with these little calves, and we are so grateful that he is here to help this new little one on her journey,” Care for Wild said.
“Black rhino calves tend to focus on a particular caregiver. They do not like to be alone and are incredibly perceptive, clever, and intelligent. They learn a great deal from their mothers, including how to browse. As a result, they require a lot of intensive care and support.”
Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, three suspects aged between 25 and 39 were arrested for the unlawful possession of rhino horns in Piet Retief, Mpumalanga, on Wednesday morning.
A whistle-blower alerted police in Piet Retief about a vehicle coming from the direction of KwaZulu-Natal and travelling towards Piet Retief.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said Piet Retief Vispol officers operationalised the information and the vehicle with three occupants, two men aged 26 and 39, and a woman aged 25, were intercepted on the N2 in Idalia, Piet Retief.
“The vehicle was thoroughly searched, and it was during this time that two rhino horns were discovered concealed next to the vehicle’s engine,” Mdhluli said.
“The suspects could not provide any permit to possess the rhino horns, hence they were apprehended and charged for unlawful possession of the endangered species’ body parts.”
The suspects were expected to appear at Piet Retief Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
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