An early Saturday morning stroll for three of our rewilded and released rhinos living safely in the Intensive Protection Zone at Care For Wild in South Africa.
A gentle incline helps get the heart pumping and it seems Sophia is leading this morning’s exercise. She can be spotted at the front of the group with her short, stubby tail, followed closely by Solana and Sparkle.
All three rhinos were rescued as young calves after their mothers were killed by poachers. Each orphan received round the clock care and support before progressing through our rewilding and release programme, giving them a second chance at life in the wild.
Sophia’s story is especially remarkable. After losing her mother, she survived additional trauma when hyenas chewed part of her ear and tail, which makes her easy to recognise from both the front and the back.
Today, seeing her confidently lead the way is a beautiful reminder of the resilience of these incredible rhinos and why every rescue really matters.
#careforwild #careforwildrhinosanctuary #rhino #rewilding #release
Endangered Species Day
Critically endangered black rhino Andy and his mom, Phoebe, can just be seen through the long summer veld grass in the bush.
Now over two years old, Andy is quickly catching up to his mom in size. He was the first black rhino calf born at Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary, a truly special milestone.
What makes his story even more meaningful is that both his mom and dad are rehabilitated and rewilded orphans, making Andy a very special symbol of hope for his species.
When they are not out on patrol, the mounted unit horses graze freely amongst the rhinos within the Intensive Protection Zone. This daily interaction is an important part of the relationship between the horses and rhinos, benefiting both animals in a calm and natural way.
By sharing the landscape, the rhinos become familiar with the sight, scent, and movement of the horses, meaning they are unfazed when mounted patrols move through the reserve during protection operations. At the same time, the horses remain relaxed and comfortable in the presence of the rhinos, allowing them to work quietly and confidently in close proximity.
#careforwild #careforwildrhinosanctuary #rhino #mountedunit #horses
A very special thank you to @rettet.das.nashorn and @perdita.luebbe.scheuermann for supporting the blood testing, vaccinations, and post-dart treatment carried out during this recent horn trimming operation.
During the procedure each rhinos’ blood was tested for their overall health and wellbeing and they also received a multiclostridial vaccine designed to help protect against a range of serious bacterial diseases commonly found in soil and natural environments. Why? For orphaned and rehabilitated rhinos, many of whom have experienced trauma, injury, or compromised immunity, this preventative protection is especially important.
The team also administered preventative antibiotic treatment to each dart site following immobilisation. Although dart wounds are small, rhinos live in muddy, wet environments where bacteria can easily enter the skin. Treating the area immediately after darting helps support healing and reduces the risk of infection.
This kind of behind-the-scenes care plays an important role in keeping these rhinos healthy, strong, and protected and we are very grateful to @rettet.das.nashorn and @perdita.luebbe.scheuermann for enabling us to deliver this care.
#careforwild #careforwildrhinosanctuary #rhino #saverhinos
HOW DO YOU PROTECT A RHINO FROM POACHING?
With layers.
With strategy.
With every tool available.
Including horn trimming.
At Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary, horn trimming is one part of a multi-layered security approach.
Here’s what it involves.
A registered wildlife veterinarian with a specific permit darts the rhino.
The ground team tracks closely, by air, vehicle, and on foot.
Calm. Quiet. Controlled.
A blindfold. Earplugs.
The rhino is gently guided into a safe, lying position.
A dedicated monitor tracks breathing and vital signs.
Every detail is recorded. Because detail matters.
Once stable, the rhino’s microchip is scanned.
The horns are measured, marked, and documented.
Photographs are taken.
A chainsaw removes the upper portion of the horn, never the base, which protects the sinus and contains blood supply.
The horns are labelled, photographed again, and removed from the property.
The edges are smoothed and filed.
Vaccinations, blood samples, and a full health check follow.
The reversal drug is administered.
Within minutes, the rhino stands.
And walks away safer and alive.
No one in conservation wants to trim rhino horns.
But no one wants the alternative.
And while the war on poaching continues,
we will do everything in our power to keep them safe.
Happy Mother’s Day
Today, we honour the memory of the rhino mothers lost to poaching but we also celebrate the beautiful new lives born to their orphaned daughters, now mothers themselves, raising calves of their own.
33 births. 33 calves born to rehabilitated and released rhino orphans. What a blessing.
Because of your support and love, rhino moms are able to live peacefully and safely with their babies. Because of you, they are protected and able to raise their calves in safety.
#careforwild #careforwildrhinosanctuary #mothersday #withlove
Continuing our Mother’s Day celebration, we look back at this unforgettable moment when rehabilitated and released white rhino orphan Wyntir gave birth to her second calf, Rainbow.
Wyntir’s story is one of extraordinary resilience, survival, and motherhood and we couldn’t be prouder of her.
When she was only a few months old, her mother was killed by poachers, leaving her alone and defenceless in the wild. Hyenas severely injured her, tearing away her ears and leaving her fighting for survival.
When Wyntir was found, her injuries were extensive, but she was brought to Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary where she received lifesaving treatment, rehabilitation, and years of dedicated care.
Today, Wyntir is not only thriving in the wild again, but she is also a mother herself. And what a remarkable mother she has become. She may not look like the other rhinos, but to her calves she is everything.
Their safety, their comfort, their home. They love her exactly as she is, just as we do.
#careforwild #careforwildrhinosanctuary #mothersday #saverhinos #rhino #mom
As dawn breaks on Mother’s Day in South Africa and in many other countries around the world, this video just in from the Intensive Protection Zone fills us with that skin-tingling kind of joy.
Seeing Rocky and his mom Rose taking an early morning wallow together fills our hearts with warmth and emotion. In a world where every day can bring uncertainty for rhinos, moments like this feel especially precious.
As always, our rangers stand unflinching in their dedication to protecting rhinos, so that Rocky can continue growing safely beside his mom, exactly where a baby rhino should be.
#careforwild #carwforwildrhinosanctuary MothersDay #RhinoConservation #SaveRhinos #SouthAfrica #WildlifeProtection #BabyRhino
Winter is fast approaching at Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary, and the rhino orphans are feeling the colder mornings. As the sun rises, they eagerly wait for their specialised milk bottles, carefully prepared to meet each calf’s individual nutritional needs.
The early morning feed is about far more than nutrition. It is one of the most important health and welfare checks of the day. During feeding, the care team closely monitors each orphan’s behaviour, body language, appetite, energy levels, and overall condition. Because the team knows every rhino so intimately, even the smallest change can be noticed quickly.
These quiet morning moments help caregivers understand how each calf is coping physically and emotionally, ensuring that any concerns are identified early and every orphan receives the care and support they need to thrive.
“The only way to save a rhinoceros is to save the environment in which it lives, because there’s a mutual dependency between it and millions of other species of both animals and plants.”
— Sir David Attenborough
Today, the man who said those words turns 100.
For a century, Sir David Attenborough has been the natural world’s greatest advocate and for us at Care for Wild, his words are not just inspiration. They are our mission, lived out every single day.
Every orphaned rhino calf we rescue. Every acre of habitat we protect. Every life we return to the wild.
Happy 100th birthday, Sir David. The rhinos thank you, we thank you, the world thanks you!
#SirDavidAttenborough #HappyBirthday100 #CareForWild #RhinoConservation #SaveTheRhino #ProtectOurPlanet #WildlifeConservation #Rhinos
Did you know Lilli’s calf has been named Luke?
The name Luke comes from Greek and Latin origins and means light giving or the bright one. Looking at this photo, it could not feel more fitting.
Captured by volunteer and Care for Wild visitor @fenivanova during a game drive to visit the rhino moms and calves in the protected area, this moment is incredibly special.
Lilli was rescued in 2018 after poachers killed her mother. She was raised at Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary before returning to life in the wild through our rewilding programme. At the end of 2025, she gave birth to her first calf, Luke.
From orphan to mother. From loss to light. What an absolute privilege it is to witness scenes like this.
Happy Mother’s Day to the incredible team at @careforwild .
You are the mothers, protectors, nurturers, and safe place for these orphaned baby rhinos. The love, care, sacrifice, and dedication you pour into these animals is something truly special. Thank you for giving them a second chance at life and for fighting every single day to protect one of Africa’s most beautiful creatures.
My wife and I spent the day with the team, and what they do is nothing short of extraordinary. These little rhinos have endured unimaginable trauma, yet they still choose life with such strength and resilience. I have never seen animals with a stronger will to live.
The first rhino is Riri, an orphaned black rhino and probably the cutest little black rhino you’ll ever see. She’s feisty, sassy, full of personality, and completely stole the show.
The second rhino in the photos is Hercules, who holds a very special place in our hearts. He was one of the first rhinos I became an ambassador for through Care for Wild. Despite his heartbreaking story, he has the gentlest soul and absolutely loves cuddles. Watching him thrive is something truly incredible.
And lastly, little Roger, the tiny rhino who completely stole my wife’s heart.
Thank you again to @careforwild for nurturing, protecting, and loving these beautiful animals the way you do.
