Orphaned White Rhino Calf Gets a Name and New Crash!

Photo Credit: Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary

A white rhino calf has come a very long way since her rescue in the Kruger. From happy mud baths to special moments with her adoptive mom and being welcomed into the crash, this is Skye’s story of hope:

South Africa (29 August 2024) — In June this year, the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary succeeded in rescuing a little white rhino calf who was just 18 months old at the time.

The rescue operation took place from the Kruger National Park, where urgent relocation efforts were required. In a scene you’d expect from an action-packed film, the little rhino calf had to be transported via suspension ropes, guided by an expert pilot and an entire veterinary team to ensure her wellbeing.

Thanks to the quick action taken, the little orphan was safely navigated to the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary, where her new life would begin.

Over the next few weeks, the little calf would be enveloped in support and care, both from the human helpers and other rhinos. Diana, an older rhino who is also an orphan, took to the newcomer quickly, showcasing motherly instincts that play a huge role in younger orphans’ rehabilitation (without their mothers or motherly bonds, orphans 18 months and younger can fall into a terrible depression that leads them to stop eating as the Sanctuary explain).

Dianna and the Little Calf

Months went by, and the little girl got stronger and happier. She was spotted enjoying mud baths (a fantastic behavioural sign signalling a happy rhino) and observed creating a soon-to-be unbreakable bond with Mama Dianna as well as Aunty Bevati, another older rhino.

Happy Mud Baths

As of recent, the white rhino calf’s name has been officially announced (Skye), and she has settled in even more amongst the other rhinos.

In very good news for her new life, little Skye was welcomed into the larger crash (the collective word for rhinos) at the Sanctuary by rhinos Mayar, Blossom, Sparkle, Sophia, Kai, Solana and Willow. In the world of rhino rehabilitation, easing into a crash is a positive step forward toward settling in; not unlike being adopted by a family.

Not only was the little one welcomed, but she was also accepted as the baby of the group, with the other rhinos instinctively watching over her!

In a video too adorable to look away from, Skye sleeps as happy as a log among her rhino family—a world away from the trauma she experienced in the Kruger only a handful of months before.

Meanwhile, in other rhino news at the Sanctuary, another orphan (a rare and beautiful baby black rhino) has been welcomed and is under the care of seasoned black rhino whisperer, caregiver Lucas!