Hope for three-week-old white rhino calf rescued after hyena attack
Durban — A three-week-old white rhino calf wounded by hyenas has been admitted to the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary and has received treatment for its wounds.
Last week, Care for Wild received the calf which had been attacked and severely wounded by hyenas.
The male rhino calf was taken to the Intensive Care Unit where he received treatment and round-the-clock care.
“He was in a critical condition, severely dehydrated, with extensive and heavily infected wounds,” Care for Wild said.
The sanctuary said the Balule Nature Reserve management team, Olifants River Game Reserve, veterinarian Dr Ben Muller and pilot Jana Meyer responded immediately, organising an urgent rescue operation.
Once the calf was darted, the severity of his wounds became clear, and the decision was made to send him to Care for Wild for ongoing medical attention and rehabilitation.
Care for Wild founder and CEO Petronel Nieuwoudt and her team received the calf at the sanctuary’s helipad.
“The calf remains in our Intensive Care Unit, where our team is providing round-the-clock care to stabilise him and treat his injuries. Although he has a long road ahead, the good news is that he has been drinking well and certainly has an appetite!” Care for Wild exclaimed.
Later, caregivers removed the rescued rhino calf’s blindfold.
Care for Wild explained that when newly rescued calves arrive, they are blindfolded and fitted with soft ear plugs to reduce stimulation and stress, helping them relax and adapt more quickly.
Caregivers initially focus on the senses of taste and smell to introduce the calves to milk replacement formula. Once the calves drink well and form a bond of trust, sight and sound are gradually reintroduced less overwhelmingly.
“Over the last 10 years, Petronel has developed and refined our processes with continued success. The Care for Wild team typically removes the blindfold during a night-time feed, using a red light that is gentler on the calves’ sensitive eyes. The night gives them time to adjust to vision again, making the transition by morning less abrupt,” Care for Wild said.
Meanwhile, on World Rhino Day, the sanctuary celebrated over 10 years of saving rhinos.
On September 22, Nieuwoudt and the Care for Wild team acknowledged over ten years of dedicated conservation.
“This incredible impact would never have been possible without our loyal sponsors, donors and supporters, who have truly become part of the Care for Wild family. Many of you have stood beside us since the very first rhino arrived. You have walked this crazy, challenging and beautiful journey with us, standing by our side day and night. How unbelievably amazing!
“Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for your trust and faith. Thank you to every single person over the last decade who has played such an important role in helping to save rhinos,” Care for Wild said.
It said together they have achieved:
- 122 rescues (including 25 rhinos with wounds from gunshots, machete injuries, and hyena bites).
- 51 rhinos rewilded and released.
- 19 calves born to rehabilitated and released orphans.
- Over 20 000 ha of protected area.
- 3 699 days without incursions.
- 88 776 hours of round-the-clock protection.
“As we move into the next ten years, we are forever guided in faith. It’s truly possible: together, we can save a species from extinction,” Care for Wild added.
In August, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Minister Dr Dion George said at the end of 2023 South Africa reported 16 056 rhinos comprising 2 065 black and 13 991 white rhinos.
These figures compare with figures estimated for the end of 2021 when there were 2 056 black and 12 968 white rhinos in the country. South Africa had 1 032 more rhinos in 2023 than in 2021 despite the poaching – in 2022 and 2023, 2.9% and 3.2% of South Africa’s rhinos respectively were poached. These were lower than the threshold of 3.5% beyond which rhino numbers will decline.
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