Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.
Our wonderful rhino babies
Each of our rhino orphans is blessed with his/her own personality – just like humans. Each of these babies is adorable in his/her own unique way. Some need lots of love and attention, whereas others are real rebels and want to have things their way.
One thing that all have in common: They all love milk, going for long walks, playing and hanging out in the mud.
We love each of them.
Latest news from the Orphanage
* Amelia *
Do you love transformations as much as we do? Well just look at the difference - Amelia, the very needy and very hungry 3 month old vs the beautifully round and proud, 10 month old. Melie now weighs a whopping 388kg, about 250kg more than when she arrived. But how gorgeous is that little face and big ears....
#transformationtuesday #rhinoorphans #wildliferescue #AnimalRehabilitation #ThereIsHope #babyrhino #rhinoconservation #whiterhino
Kabelo
| Gender | Male |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 3 months old |
| Place of origin | Botsalano, North West Parks |
| What happened to its mom? | Lost his mother from suspected complications after being shot by poachers 2 years before. |
| What makes him special? | His name means “Gift“. He has a gentle, playful personality, very curious and brave. He loves his milk and going for walks in the bush. |
Faith
| Gender | Female |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 6 weeks old |
| Place of origin | Mafikeng, North West |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom was poached |
| What makes her special? | Always shows her gentle nature but never lets you forget who is in charge. |
Lunga
| Gender | Male |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 6 weeks old |
| Place of origin | Musina, Limpopo |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom injured during capture, vet decided to remove calf in case she didn’t make it. |
| What makes him special? | He is very independent, non-chalant personality and a handsome (and he knows it) charm. Loves running. Used to growl like a bear when upset. |
Kumba
| Gender | Male |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 6 months old |
| Place of origin | Mpumalanga |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom was poached |
| What makes him special? | He is very sweet and loving, he always come to greet you and never fails to put a smile on your face. Doesn’t like being alone. |
Matthew
| Gender | Male |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 9 months |
| Place of origin | North West Parks |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom injured by rhino bull, died from the injuries. Calf had face covered in blood as he was trying to nurse from injured mom. |
| What makes him special? | Closes his eyes when enjoying his food. Named after a boy who cycled to raise funds for rhino conservation. |
Nkwe
| Gender | Female |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 3 months |
| Place of origin | Ingwe Valley, Limpopo |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom died under narcosis following relocation to prevent poaching |
| What makes her special? | She is very wrinkly and is sometimes really bossy but will get frightened easily with the males |
Ntombi
| Gender | Female |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 2 months |
| Place of origin | SANParks |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom was poached, calf had its face hacked with 21 panga/axe wounds |
| What makes her special? | She is a very needy girl and likes attention. If you take too long with her food she will push you off |
Tau
| Gender | Male |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 3-4 months |
| Place of origin | SANParks |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom and a bull were poached, calf was chased by a pride of lions before being rescued |
| What makes him special? | When he moans it sounds like he is talking or singing! |
Pendula
| Gender | Male |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 4 months |
| Place of origin | Limpopo |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom was poached and he arrived upside down in the crate |
| What makes him special? | He will go where he wants to and no one will stop him. He enjoys tipping over his water trough |
Thandi
| Gender | Female |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 15 months |
| Place of origin | Limpopo |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom was poached, she got shot through the neck, was being attacked by 3 lions when rescued, lost half of one ear |
| What makes her special? | She is a true survivor, full of courage and determined to live. |
Mbali
| Gender | Female |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 12 months |
| Place of origin | Limpopo |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom was poached |
| What makes her special? | She will do what she wants and no what everyone else does… A real rebel! |
Pemba
| Gender | Male |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 6 weeks |
| Place of origin | Limpopo |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom was poached and he was found 5 days later |
| What makes him special? | Tries to roar like a lion. Loves attention and belly rubs, he can never get enough milk |
Muffin
| Gender | Male |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 40 days |
| Place of origin | Limpopo |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom shot early hours of morning, calf arrived the same day |
| What makes him special? | Has very bad mood swings, keeps the keepers on their toes trying to guess if they are gonna be kissed or chased |
Nageng
| Gender | Male |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 10 months |
| Place of origin | North West Parks |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom poached 2 days before, was put on a boma and broke the heavy gate overnight as the lions were roaring close-by |
| What makes him special? | He is a very trusting boy. His name means “there in the wilderness” |
Lesedi
| Gender | Male |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 7 months |
| Place of origin | North West Parks |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom poached 5 days before, joined another cow with calf but was pushed away. Feared lions will catch him |
| What makes him special? | He is a very fat boy, has a big belly and loves his food. |
Shaka
| Gender | Male |
| Specie | Black rhino |
| Age on arrival | 3-4 months |
| Place of origin | Limpopo |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom died from mycotoxicosis after moving her to a boma to prevent poaching |
| What makes him special? | He will take his sweet time when you call him, he’s not crazy about milk but loves browsing and walks. Will irritate Nyani a lot until she starts playing with him. |
Joey
| Gender | Female |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 24 months |
| Place of origin | North West Parks |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom chased her away to have new calf. She got a fractured hip bone and lived on a high risk area with big pride of lions. |
| What makes her special? | She is very tough, recovered completely from injuries. |
Nyani
| Gender | Female |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 1-2 days old |
| Place of origin | Limpopo |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom separated during game count |
| What makes her special? | Blows bubbles with mouth and expert escapist if left alone. |
Nandi
| Gender | Female |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 4-5 months |
| Place of origin | Limpopo |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom poached with 8 rhinos in one night |
| What makes her special? | Doesn’t like people and not to blame after the horrible poaching of her mom and also being shot on a leg. |
Takiwe
| Gender | Male |
| Specie | White rhino |
| Age on arrival | 12 months |
| Place of origin | Limpopo |
| What happened to its mom? | Mom couldn´t be found, calf run into thorn bushes and got bad scratches |
| What makes him special? | Can’t have enough grass, he will look like a sausage if you keep on feeding him. He got his name after being very drowsy and tipsy after being immobilized and brought to orphanage. |