Baby rhino arrives at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre after mother poached

Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC) recently took custody of a very special animal. A three-month old baby white rhino, born on 19 February, was brought to the Centre after being found next to his dead mother who had been tragically poached and killed for her horn. The tiny animal would not leave her side and was crying inconsolably for her. Dr Peter Rogers from Provet assisted in darting him, after which he safely transported the animal to the Centre.

The young rhino – named Gertjie after the manager at the farm where he was born – must be fed every 3 hours and the Centre ensures that someone is with him at all times, day and night. Baby rhinos are only weaned at about 15 to 18 months, so Gertjie would not have been able to survive on his own.

To the relief of everyone involved, the baby animal has settled down well in his new home. He goes for walks every day with the curators and drinks heartily from his bottle, which consists of powdered milk and added supplements. When Gertjie is old enough, he will be released back onto the reserve where he came from.

The Department of Environmental Affairs announced on 14 May, that an astonishing 376 rhinos have been poached in South Africa since the beginning of 2014.

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