Rangers in the Kruger National Park of South Africa discovered an abandoned baby rhino still attached to its umbilical chord in December 2021. When it was discovered, the young rhino calf was frail and unable to stand. She was transported by helicopter to the intensive care unit at the Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary in South Africa (ICU).
Following intense rains and storms, a zebra foal was discovered in Kruger National Park barely breathing. Modjadji, a baby zebra, was taken to the sanctuary’s ICU for treatment of anaemia and septicemia. In the wild, these two adorable neonates definitely wouldn’t have crossed paths. The young rhino and zebra foal at the Care For Wild-Rhino Sanctuary are supporting one another’s growth and healing.
All photos credit:- Care For Wild-Rhino-Sanctuary
When the rangers discovered Daisy, her mother was not present. Although the exact cause is uncertain, Daisy’s mother may have been taken by poachers. The juvenile rhino was discovered after a “distressing week” in South Africa, when poachers had killed hundreds of rhinos. The calves are left behind by poachers who only steal the mothers’ horns, which are highly sought in Asian nations like China.
Both abandoned babies lived after 24-hour care and feeding. Daisy was too young to absorb colostrum from her mother and required additional treatments to strengthen her immune system and regulate her body temperature.
Modjajdi became friends with Daisy and Daisy’s guardian while Daisy was recovering. After a month, Modjadji and Daisy are sisters. Modjadji always follows Daisy. The Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary’s media contact, Louwhen-Bowker, explained that as the animals became stronger and braver, their curiosity overcame them and they began interacting.
Friendly and in need of company, rhinos. Daisy enjoys Modjadji’s company. Daisy snoozes peacefully as they hold hands. Daisy’s constant company enables her to avoid physical contact.
These two infants developed a close bond in the days and months that followed that enabled them to recover. Daisy cannot be introduced to the other orphaned rhinos at the sanctuary because she is too weak and delicate. It will take some time before she can take care of the other orphans, according to Rachael Pfeiffer of the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary. She found Aquazi, her ICU age-mate, to be excessively boisterous at this point. It is clear how important Modjadji is.
On social media, the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary has posted updates on its travels.
Beginning on January 28, “Nothing goes past these two,” the sanctuary was opened. During recreation outside the ICU, Modjadji taught Daisy where milk is made. These friends are naughty.
On March 30, the shelter stated: “Their friendship is remarkable.” Daisy and Modjadji are really close. “Daisy and Modjadji like their milk, much like other newborns. They are three months old and are fed every two to three hours, day and night. Daisy sips.
1L each feed. Compared to Daisy, Modjadji is more quiet and gentle. Instagram’s haven.
‘Modjadji wanted to show Daisy where the milk is manufactured during their playtime outside the ICU,’ says Daisy. These two friends are acting bad all the time.
As they recover and mature, Daisy, Modjadji, and the other orphaned rhinos will be reintroduced into the wild. “Conserve viable Black and White rhino breeding populations in protected locations through community involvement and sustainable solutions,” reads the mission statement of the sanctuary.
These orphaned babies’ unique bond and relationship that they developed in treatment will endure.
A goat and a young black rhino were paired by the sanctuary. “Rhino rescue and recuperation are slow,” said Pfeiffer. Milk is consumed by 17-month-olds. Daisy, 3, will undergo rewilding. She will be 5 to 6 years old.
