Meet our Rhino orphans
Zac
On Tuesday morning, 19th of July 2016, we received a phone call from SANParks officials informing us of another orphaned baby rhino that was found beside his recently poached mother in the southern region of the Kruger National Park.
The baby rhino, now named Zac, was transported to the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary at approximately 3pm that afternoon in his private helicopter and alongside his private veterinarian Louis van Wyk.
While his experience was deeply traumatic, we are very happy to report that due to the rescue intervention, Zac is now doing remarkably well! Overall, he is in good health and has no visible wounds.
During the month of November 2016, Zac received three new friends (Jemu, Grey and Spirit) with whom he bonded instantly.
On the 24th of November 2016, we moved the four baby orphans down to the big holding facility. They are being monitored constantly and we are happy to report that all four orphans are doing very well; drinking all their milk and eating the dry feeds that we also provide.
Spirit
Despite Spirit’s rollercoaster road during rehabilitation, she is thriving in the Intensive Protection Zone and is the largest female in her ‘crash’ (group) of four.
She has developed a very broad face and staff also use her ears to help identify her. They are very symmetrical, very pointy and have minimal fluff! Spirit is nearly always found close to Lilli.
Lilly
Lilli is one of the easiest rhinos to identify in the Intensive Protection Zone because she is the youngest and the smallest. Despite this, she is growing up fast and so we also use her ears to help identify her. Lilli has very oval, symmetrical ears with pointy tips and pointy fluff. Lilli is never found far away from her crash and is nearly always standing with Spirit.
Jemu
Jemu is slightly smaller than Spirit. She has a thinner, longer face with incredibly pointy, fluffy ears. She always walks with her ears facing forward which further elongates her face. The muscle of the scoff (back of neck) has highly-defined ridges which staff to use to help identify Jemu amongst the others.
Grey
Grey is particularly easy to identify. He is the largest of the crash and the only bull in this group.
He has unique ears which we all look out for amongst all the other rhinos. Both ears have exceptionally crinkled edges with long, extended tips.
He is not yet interested in the displays of dominance shown by the older bulls, but this will develop as he gets older.
Zac
On Tuesday morning, 19th of July 2016, we received a phone call from SANParks officials informing us of another orphaned baby rhino that was found beside his recently poached mother in the southern region of the Kruger National Park.
The baby rhino, now named Zac, was transported to the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary at approximately 3pm that afternoon in his private helicopter and alongside his private veterinarian Louis van Wyk.
While his experience was deeply traumatic, we are very happy to report that due to the rescue intervention, Zac is now doing remarkably well! Overall, he is in good health and has no visible wounds.
During the month of November 2016, Zac received three new friends (Jemu, Grey and Spirit) with whom he bonded instantly.
On the 24th of November 2016, we moved the four baby orphans down to the big holding facility. They are being monitored constantly and we are happy to report that all four orphans are doing very well; drinking all their milk and eating the dry feeds that we also provide.
Spirit
Despite Spirit’s rollercoaster road during rehabilitation, she is thriving in the Intensive Protection Zone and is the largest female in her ‘crash’ (group) of four.
She has developed a very broad face and staff also use her ears to help identify her. They are very symmetrical, very pointy and have minimal fluff! Spirit is nearly always found close to Lilli.
Lilly
Lilli is one of the easiest rhinos to identify in the Intensive Protection Zone because she is the youngest and the smallest. Despite this, she is growing up fast and so we also use her ears to help identify her. Lilli has very oval, symmetrical ears with pointy tips and pointy fluff. Lilli is never found far away from her crash and is nearly always standing with Spirit.
Jemu
Jemu is slightly smaller than Spirit. She has a thinner, longer face with incredibly pointy, fluffy ears. She always walks with her ears facing forward which further elongates her face. The muscle of the scoff (back of neck) has highly-defined ridges which staff to use to help identify Jemu amongst the others.
Grey
Grey is particularly easy to identify. He is the largest of the crash and the only bull in this group.
He has unique ears which we all look out for amongst all the other rhinos. Both ears have exceptionally crinkled edges with long, extended tips.
He is not yet interested in the displays of dominance shown by the older bulls, but this will develop as he gets older.