New Calf Born at Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary

Just this morning, a new white rhino calf was born at the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary in South Africa. And for the first time, it was recorded on video.

Olive, a 9-year-old white rhino, gave birth to the male calf at 7:50AM this morning. Care for Wild, an RRF grantee, has multi-disciplinary teams involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of rhinos orphaned by poaching. They also facilitate the rewilding of these rhinos whenever they can, and help boost the viability of breeding to help recover the population.

Olive was orphaned in 2013 after poachers killed her mother. She was just 10 months old when she was rescued and brought to the sanctuary. She has always been feisty, full of mischief and independence. Olive was one of the first rhinos to complete her rehabilitation program and enter the rewilding and release program.

This new calf is the third calf born at the sanctuary, and his parents are both orphans rescued from poachers, but this is the first time Care for Wild has been able to film the birth. Olive remained close to her long term guard throughout the early stages of labor, keeping him close during the delivery. He filmed this special moment as her new calf was brought to the world.

You can see the video below. Be aware that it is somewhat graphic.

This new calf is another sign of hope for the species, and we at the RRF are so happy to see a new rhino be born. Congratulations to Care for Wild for making this tremendous success possible!