Watch: Rhino’s birth at sanctuary a symbol of hope for conservation efforts

In a heart-warming event, Wyntir, a rehabilitated rhino orphan, gave birth to her second calf, Rainbow, or ‘Mushankozazane’ in Siswati.

She went into labour at Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary in Mpumalanga on March 19. Although the calf was breech, Wyntir was able to deliver without complications, said Petronel Nieuwoudt, the CEO of Care for Wild.

Rachael Pfeiffer of Care for Wild said that heavy rains and the sun created a rainbow over the place where Rainbow was born, making it a very fitting name. She says it honours South Africa’s Rainbow Nation and carries hope for the future, for both rhinos and people.

This event not only signifies a personal triumph for Wyntir, but also holds immense importance in the broader context of rhino conservation efforts.

“Throughout the past decade, Care for Wild has remained committed to the rescue, rehabilitation and reintroduction of orphaned and injured rhinos into their natural habitats. As keystone species and ecological engineers, the reintroduction of rhinos is helping to restore habitats and protect biodiversity. The birth of this very special calf is a testament to a decade of dedication to saving rhinos, to save people, to save tomorrow,” said Nieuwoudt.

Care for Wild played a pivotal role in Wyntir’s journey. After being orphaned in 2014 at the tender age of two months, Wyntir weighed a mere 107kg and was found alone in the Kingfisherspruit area of the Kruger National Park.

Some poachers had mercilessly killed her mother, leaving her vulnerable to predators. Despite sustaining injuries, including the loss of her ears from hyena attacks, Wyntir’s resilience and will to survive remained unwavering.

Her story took a hopeful turn when she was rescued and brought to Care for Wild, where she underwent extensive care and rehabilitation. Alongside her was Storm, another rhino orphan whose family had fallen victim to poachers over a decade ago. Storm was orphaned in an equally devastating attack, when poachers brutally killed his entire family.

Together, Wyntir and Storm embarked on a remarkable journey of healing and recovery under the dedicated care of the sanctuary’s staff. The birth of Wyntir and Storm’s first calf, Blizzy, two years ago marked a historic moment in rhino conservation.

Blizzy became the world’s first calf born to parents who were both orphaned due to poaching, conceived and delivered naturally.

This remarkable event not only underscored the resilience of these animals, but also served as a beacon of hope for the conservation community worldwide.

Now, with the arrival of her second calf, Wyntir’s legacy continues to inspire. Her offspring symbolise the possibilities of restoration and renewal in the face of adversity.

The war against poaching continues in court
• The Skukuza Regional Court sentenced Mbongeni Selephi Ngobeni (28) to 17 years’ direct imprisonment on March, 21 for poaching-related offences, including firearm possession, trespassing, possessing a firearm with criminal intent, conspiracy, possessing unlicensed ammunition, possessing a dangerous weapon and rhino hunting. On June 1, 2016, Pretoriuskop rangers on patrol in the Kruger discovered a freshly killed rhino with its horns removed. Following the tracks, they encountered three suspects, including Ngobeni. They also discovered a hunting rifle, some ammunition, an axe and fresh rhino horns.

• The trial of Rodney Landela, a former Kruger regional ranger, and his co-accused, former state veterinarian employee Kenneth Muchocho, started in the Skukuza Regional Court on March 18. The matter was postponed to June 1, according to Monica Nyuswa, the Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority’s spokesperson. Landela and Muchocho were arrested after a white rhino had been poached in the Kingfisherspruit area. Both its horns had been removed. The two were connected to the poaching by some bloodied shoes that were apparently found in the vehicle Muchocho was driving. It was reported that a SANParks firearm had been used in the poaching.

• Joseph Nyalungu, also known as ‘Big Joe’, and his co-accused, Claude Lubisi, Aretha Mhlanga and Rachel Qwebana, appeared in the Mbombela High Court on March 22. They are charged with poaching-related offences. The trial was postponed to September 25. This was requested by Big Joe’s defence attorney, Hendrick Potgieter, as he had indicated that he needed time to read through the application for the undercover operation, which was conducted under Section 252A of the Criminal Procedure Act.