With World Rhino Day just around the corner and everyone’s focus on rhino conservation and this magnificent species, we thought it would be a perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on your special adopted rhinos. Care for Wild has rescued 111 rhinos, so you might be wondering how we tell them all apart! The answer is actually quite simple. Although at first glance they may all look the same, they do not to us! It’s a bit like a family with twins or triplets—when you are with them every day, you can clearly see the differences. While some have very obvious identifying features, others are more subtle, but they are all completely unique. Their personalities are also varied, which is what makes each of them so unbelievably special. So how do the caregivers and rangers identify the Fab 4?
Grey
Let’s start with Grey, an up-and-coming dominant bull. He rarely drops in body condition and has a certain presence about him. Grey used to wear a tracking collar, which helped with identification, but the caregivers and rangers have learned not to rely solely on such tools, especially if the collar is removed. The most telling sign of Grey is his distinctive ears, which are extremely pointy with a ‘crinkled’ outer edge. These unique features make him easily recognisable.
Jemu & Lilli
Lilli (above) and Jemu (below) are nearly always found together, so if one is missing, it’s a clear sign that the other might be unwell or about to give birth! Both are among the smaller rhinos on the reserve. Lilli has a distinctive long face with symmetrical ears that end in a soft point. Jemu, on the other hand, has a shorter face, extremely fluffy ears, and a very pronounced ‘knobbly’ scoff (neck muscle).
Spirit & Muddy
When it comes to identifying Spirit, she embodies the classic, beautiful rhino look: perfectly symmetrical, with clean ears and well-proportioned features. Since the birth of her calf Muddy, Spirit has become more elusive, making it difficult to use the presence of the rest of her crash for identification. As a result of this behavior change, she now wears a tracking collar. Nowadays, she is easily startled and tends to keep her distance from the rangers and caregivers. Identifying the offspring of released rhinos is even more challenging. With less contact with these calves, we have learned to identify them from a distance, but it remains difficult with so many calves moving around. However, Muddy is virtually a copy of her mother! She has the same face shape, ear shape, and temperament as Spirit.