Zululand Rhino Orphanage

The Zululand Rhino Orphanage (ZRO) has recently welcomed two new arrivals, Penny and Njabula, into our care.

Penny arrived in a deeply traumatised state, and it took time and patience to settle her. Fortunately, she adjusted well to bottle feeding, which is often a challenge for newly rescued calves. Once stable, Penny was introduced into the boma with her fellow orphans, where she quickly began to thrive. She has been grazing on the fresh green grass and is steadily regaining strength. A heartwarming development has been her close bond with Lila, one of our long-term orphans, who has become her best friend and mentor, guiding her in adapting to her new surroundings.

Our second arrival, Njabula, was found wandering alone with no sign of her mother. She is slightly older and larger than Penny, and unlike many young calves, she adapted quickly when brought into the orphanage. She settled straight into the bomas and has integrated well with the rest of the orphans. Njabula is already showing a calm and resilient nature, and her presence has further strengthened the social bonds within the orphan herd.

Both Penny and Njabula are doing well, thanks to the dedication of our team and the support of our donors. Their stories remind us of the critical role ZRO plays in giving orphaned rhino calves a second chance, and we are committed to ensuring they continue to grow, heal, and one day, return to the wild where they belong.

We are pleased to report the successful rewilding of two of its long-term rhino residents, Leko and Tweed. Their release marks a significant achievement in the orphanage’s ongoing work to rehabilitate and return orphaned rhinos to the wild - a process that requires years of specialised care, consistency, and patience.

Both Leko and Tweed arrived at the orphanage as young calves, each under distressing and traumatic circumstances related to poaching. During their time in care, they developed a particularly strong bond. Although not related by blood, their close relationship mirrored that of siblings. Tweed, the younger of the two, quickly attached himself to Leko, who displayed an instinctive calmness and often took on a nurturing, leadership role - especially when interacting with new or more anxious orphans.

Throughout their rehabilitation, both rhinos thrived under the structured care provided at the facility, steadily gaining strength and confidence. They integrated well with other orphans but consistently returned to one another’s side, forming what became an inseparable pair. Over the course of nearly three years, their behavioural development, physical health, and social interaction were closely monitored, and both individuals met the criteria for rewilding.

In recent months, the decision was made to initiate the reintroduction process. Each rhino was successfully fitted with a tracking device and transported to a suitable release site. Following a short delay due to weather conditions, the rewilding was carried out. Upon opening the transport crates, both Leko and Tweed stepped out cautiously but with purpose - remaining close together as they began exploring their new environment.

Their release brings the total number of successfully rewilded orphans at the Zululand Rhino Orphanage to 13 over the past six years, reflecting steady progress towards the long-term goal of reintegrating orphaned individuals into the wild. Rewilded rhinos play a key role in strengthening population numbers and genetic diversity, and their return to the wild restores natural ecological functions, given the rhino’s status as a keystone species.

The release of Leko and Tweed also highlights the critical importance of sustained care and professional expertise throughout the rehabilitation process. From emergency response and veterinary intervention to nutrition, security, and behavioural monitoring, each phase of rehabilitation is essential in preparing orphans for eventual independence.

While Leko and Tweed will be missed by the team, their release represents exactly what the Zululand Rhino Orphanage was established to achieve. Both individuals now have the opportunity to contribute to their species' future from where they belong - back in the wild.