Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation

Every rhino orphan that arrives in our care begins a carefully monitored journey towards independence. There are several important steps along the way, and each move to a new environment is a sign that the little one is growing stronger and more confident.

1. Arrival & Hospital Care

When a rhino orphan first arrives, they are often scared, confused and overwhelmed. Their first stop is our Wildlife Hospital, where they are settled into a warm, quiet room with the medication, milk and care they need.

The first few days are all about building trust.

At this stage, trust is everything. These young orphans are vulnerable and still completely dependent on our team. They need to drink from a bottle, while our vet and Animal Health Technician monitor their health closely and make sure that they are settling into their new surroundings.

2. First Steps Outside

Once the team is happy with their strength and progress, the hospital room is opened up to an outdoor boma.

This gives them their first opportunity to step outside, feel the fresh air and begin grazing on natural grass, while still having the security of their night room and close access to the hospital.

It is a small step, but an important one.

3. A Bigger Enclosure & A Companion

As they continue to grow stronger, the next step is moving into a larger enclosure close to the hospital.

This is often when they are introduced to a companion, an important part of their development as rhinos are naturally social animals, particularly when they are young.

Being in a larger space also allows them to explore, graze and develop their confidence, while our veterinary team continues to monitor them closely.

4. The Big Move, Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Once our vet and Animal Health Technician are happy with their health, strength and progress, they are ready for one of the biggest milestones in their rehabilitation journey: moving to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.

Our two newest arrivals, Ox and Bhuti, are almost ready for this next chapter.

The move to the Rehabilitation Centre marks an important change in their care. Here, we begin transitioning towards a more hands-off approach, encouraging the young rhinos to become increasingly independent.

They gradually move away from relying on people for their milk and begin learning to drink from a bucket. Our team continues to monitor them, but increasingly from a distance.

Growing Towards Independence

Every stage of rehabilitation has a purpose.

From those first, fragile days in the hospital to taking their first steps outside, meeting a companion and eventually moving to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, each milestone brings these little rhinos one step closer to becoming independent.

For Ox and Bhuti, that next big step is almost here.