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Help Raise Rhino Orphans Bula & Peter
Rhino poaching has been driven by the demand for rhino horn in Asian countries, particularly Vietnam and China, due to its use as a status symbol to display someone’s success and wealth and in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Globally, economic conditions are challenging since the pandemic, also in South-Africa, where poverty is on the rise. The surge in poverty unfortunately coincides with an increase in poaching, posing a threat to rhinos in their natural habitat.
Rhino calves, just like elephant calves, are extremely fragile and getting them onto milk bottles to see them thorugh the initial stages of their young lives is complex. Rhinos are not quite as complex as elephants but taking care of a baby rhino is hard work and involves round-the-clock monitoring.
End January 2023, the team at HESC, Hoedspruit Endangered Species Center, received a call from Dr. Johan Marais, a wildlife vet who founded Saving The Survivors, and assists in treating wildlife affected by poaching or other traumatic incidents. A seven-month-old calf needed help, and they had been called to assist. the little rhino’s mother was an old cow who could not produce enough milk to feed him, and she had since passed away. Bula, as he was now named, would need to be taken somewhere for rehabilitation. He was brought through HESC that evening.
HESC, Hoedspruit Endangered Species centre, is home to a variety of animal and bird species but is also experienced in raising and caring for rhino baby orphans. Founded by Lente Roode, mother of Adine Roode from HERD, HESC has been actively working on wildlife rehabilitation since 1988. Adine’s life before she started the HERD elephant orphanage was focused around rhino & elephant rehabilitation at HESC.
As Adine is experienced and still loves and cherishes this animal species, she often helps out when new rhino orphans arrive. Rhino calves, just like elephant calves, are extremely fragile and getting them onto milk bottles to see them thorugh the initial stages of their young lives is complex. Rhinos are not quite as complex as elephants but taking care of a baby rhino is hard work and involves round-the-clock monitoring.
Taking care of a rhino orphan is hard work and involves round-the-clock monitoring. Adine offered to assist with the new orphan, joining the nurse from Saving The Survivors and dr.Johan Marais at HESC.
Adine tried to get Balu to take a milk bottle as the calf would need fuel to stay strong. he was blindfolded to keep him calm, as the experience can be very traumatic for animals. Adine continued to spend time with Bula, ensuring he drinks his bottles and settles into his new life at HESC.
Donate 10€
Because every donation, no matter how big or small, counts. When donating 10€, you support each of them with 1 milk bottle.
Donate 25€
Because every donation, no matter how big or small, counts. When donating 25€, you support Peter & Bula each with 2 milk bottles.
Donate 50€
When donating 50€, you support Peter & Bula with 2 bottle feeds, so milk bottles and needed vitamin supplements
Donate 100€
When donating 100€, you support Peter & Bula with milk bottles & a lots of very needed vitamin supplements.
Donate 250€
When donating 250€, you support Peter & Bula with lots of milk bottles & medical check-ups so she gets all she needs to grow up!