The Rhino Orphanage takes in calf after being abandoned by her mother

The baby rhino taken in by the orphanage. Image: As originally published by Cape Town Etc.

Leigh-Ann Londt, Cape Town Etc | September 15, 2021

The Rhino Orphanage specialises in taking care of calves that are left behind because of poaching. These young rhinos need 24-hour care, which is why the organisation takes them in from the wild and into the orphanage.

According to GoodThingsGuy, baby rhinos are orphaned for other reasons too. Earlier this week, the Rhino Orphanage took in Shamara who was abandoned by her own mother. It’s unfortunate that this happens when a new mother feels like she cannot care for her rhino calf.

The rhino cow was a young first-time mother and her milk was drying up too soon, which led her to abandon her calf.

“They contacted our vet and Dr. Pierre made the decision to send the calf to the Orphanage. When she was tranquillized, her mother did not even try to defend the little one and walked away. Like she knew what had to be done,” says the Rangers.

“Our team is working hard to get the baby drinking and calm, as she doesn’t understand what has happened and she is extremely hungry on top of it. Please keep her in your thoughts tonight. Fingers crossed that she hasn’t reverted to eating sand as these little ones so often do,” they added.

Shamara had a restless first night at the orphanage, but she is drinking like a champ! Her IV line has been removed as she now takes in fluids with her bottle, including electrolytes to start off with, and with time, she will be moving on to a weak milk solution.

“As the formula is foreign to her gut it needs to be introduced slowly over the next couple of days, working up to full strength milk. Her earplugs are out as well so she can hear the soft, soothing voices of her carers,” says the Rhino Orphanage.

The reserve named her Shamara, meaning the Strong One. As this is yet another little mouth to feed, the Rhino Orphanage has left open their Feed and Milk drive campaign.

Read the original story here.