A two-month-old white rhino calf is recovering at Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary in Mpumalanga, taking her first steps outside after arriving severely dehydrated and too weak to stand.
According to Good Things Guy, the calf was rescued in September and airlifted by helicopter before completing the journey to the sanctuary by vehicle. She received intravenous fluids and was monitored during the transfer.
The calf arrived extremely thin, with wounds on all four feet. Embedded thorns had caused painful abscesses, requiring the sanctuary’s veterinary team to remove the thorns and clean and treat the wounds. She also received fluids and plasma.
Initially unable to suckle, she was fed small amounts of milk by syringe while caregivers provided round-the-clock care in the sanctuary’s intensive care unit. After four days, she began drinking with assistance and later progressed to bottle-feeding.
She now receives milk every two hours, day and night. Her drip has been removed, and blood tests show her electrolyte levels have returned to normal.
The calf has since grown strong enough to walk outside. Although she still requires close monitoring and further rehabilitation, the sanctuary’s team says it is encouraged by her progress.
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