Watch: Rescued orphaned rhino calf’s sip of hope
A rescued rhino calf at Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary took a hopeful step toward recovery with a vital drink of water.
A sip of water has been dubbed a ‘meaningful step’ forward in the rescue of an orphaned rhino calf.
According to a Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary post on Facebook, the calf of around 12 months weighs between 350–400kg.
“At this size, she requires a minimum of 35–40 litres of fluid each day, even more for her due to the severe dehydration. While we use three-litre ‘rhino-sized’ drip bags for IV infusion, fully rehydrating a rhino of this size can be a challenge,” reads the latest update on the rescued orphan.
According to information shared by the sanctuary, the calf was rescued from the northern region of Greater Kruger on Saturday. It was alone, extremely dehydrated and thin, and barely moving.
Yesterday’s Facebook update says that it is ‘very encouraging’ to see the calf standing and drinking.
“Petronel [Nieuwoudt, the founder of the sanctuary] and the care team remain with her 24/7, completely committed to giving her every possible chance. Thank you for all your messages of support. Please consider making a donation towards her care costs. Every donation has an impact on the lives of these orphans.”
The sanctuary’s Facebook page intro states that it is: “The world’s largest orphaned rhino sanctuary specialising in the rescue, rehabilitation, rewilding, and ongoing protection of this keystone species. We put communities at the heart of conservation, ensuring a sustainable future for all.”
According to its website, the sanctuary is situated within the vast Barberton Nature Reserve complex in Mpumalanga.
You can donate here.
