In 2012, a tiny, traumatised rhino calf arrived at a newly founded sanctuary in Mpumalanga. Her name was Lunar, and she marked the beginning of a conservation movement that would transform the landscape of rhino protection in Southern Africa. This moment of rescue would also lay the foundation for a partnership between Care for Wild and the Spirit Foundation that continues to reshape the future of an endangered species.
A journey rooted in purpose
Petronel Nieuwoudt, founder of Care for Wild, initiated the drive to protect wildlife early. Raised in the lush surrounds of Limpopo, her connection to animals was nurtured by her parents—her mother’s compassion and her father’s deep understanding of the land. After earning her degree in 1991, Petronel joined the Endangered Species Protection Unit of the South African Police Service, where she rose to the rank of Captain over the course of eight years of dedicated service.
She would go on to found The Game Capture School, Sondela Wildlife Centre, and Tamboti Wildlife Centre, all of which were established before the founding of Care for Wild in 2011. It was here that her vision crystallised: not only to save rhinos orphaned by poaching, but to develop a long-term model that rehabilitates, rewilds, and protects them for life, while uplifting the surrounding communities.
“Rhinos are not just iconic animals—they are ecosystem engineers,” says Nieuwoudt. “But more than that, they are community engineers, creating opportunities for conservation to uplift people as well.”
A shared vision with the Spirit Foundation
In 2016, Care for Wild entered into a partnership with the Spirit Foundation Wildlife Programme (SFWP), a relationship based on trust, a shared vision, and a commitment to long-term impact.
“The Spirit Foundation didn’t just provide funding; they believed in our vision and stood beside us,” says Petronel. “From milk formula to security systems, from trauma care to rewilding support, their role has been pivotal.”
Among the most poignant outcomes of this partnership is the story of Spirit, a rhino orphan named in honour of the Spirit Foundation. Arriving in critical condition, Spirit required months of intensive care to survive. In 2019, she began her reintroduction journey, and in 2023, she gave birth to her first calf, named Muddy.
“The birth of Muddy was deeply emotional,” says Petronel. “It proved that even the most traumatised animals, with the right care, can return to the wild and thrive.”
Behind the scenes: Healing, Rewilding, Protecting
Every day at Care for Wild begins before sunrise. Bottles are prepared, health checks are done, and the feeding rounds start. It is not just physical wounds that need care; rhino orphans often arrive grieving, confused, and frightened.
“One of the hardest challenges is psychological trauma,” Petronel explains. “These calves have seen their mothers killed. Rebuilding trust takes patience, compassion, and never giving up.”
The rehabilitation process is long, structured, and designed to minimise human imprinting. Orphans are gradually introduced to others, forming small social groups called “crashes.” As they grow, they move through different phases of rewilding, learning how to interact, forage, and ultimately fend for themselves. Once released, the rhinos are monitored using tracking technology and boots-on-the-ground oversight to ensure they’re adapting well to their new, wild lives.
The support of SFWP has been instrumental not only in rhino care but in broader species protection. The Spirit Foundation has contributed to ICU facilities that now also accommodate pangolins, supported the rewilding of buffalo to the Mountainlands Nature Reserve, and funded the donation of a release boma for that reserve, another vital tool in successful reintroduction work.
Conservation that empowers communities
Care for Wild’s work does not end with wildlife. It extends into the surrounding communities, weaving conservation and upliftment into a single vision for sustainability.
Through initiatives such as the Junior Rangers program, the Rhino Cup Soccer Tournament, and after-school tutoring, local youth are engaged in meaningful and enriching activities. Food parcels, women’s health services, and school clothing drives address immediate community needs, while long-term efforts, such as the Lomshiyo Agricultural Farm, provide food security and economic opportunities.
In 2024, the organisation’s impact expanded across food, education, healthcare, and skills development. And in 2025, a new partnership with the Good Work Foundation will launch mobile education campuses, bringing learning directly to rural families.
“When we empower people to be stewards of the land, conservation becomes a shared responsibility,” says Petronel. “That’s how we create lasting change.”
With 12 rhinos supported through the SFWP partnership — including Spirit — the relationship continues to grow. At its heart, it is a living example of what is possible when bold vision meets committed partnership.
“Without the Spirit Foundation Wildlife Programme, much of our progress would not have been possible,” Petronel reflects. “Together, we are building a globally recognised stronghold for rhino conservation.”