We never dreamed we would have the privilege of helping rhino orphans. It happened by chance, although under incredibly tragic circumstances, on 20th February 2017, when poachers attacked a regional rhino orphanage. As a result, fear of this ongoing security threat was the deciding factor in the facility closing its doors. With the rhino orphans urgently needing a home, the Zululand Conservation Trust stepped up, deciding to shoulder the responsibility and costs.

We worked tirelessly against the clock to build these orphans a comfortable and suitable facility to call home. Thanks to our hardworking team of resourceful employees, we built a 3.5-hectare boma for the two oldest orphans, Storm and Nandi. On 14th March 2017, it was the most rewarding experience watching the two black rhino orphans take their first tentative steps into their new home. The hard work had only begun!

Next, we set about preparing the enclosure for the remaining three orphans who required round-the-clock care. Thankfully, with the incredible support of Container Conversions, we set up a facility in a matter of weeks, kitted out with a kitchen for milk preparations and a safe and warm sleeping area.

By April 2017, we had managed to move the two white rhinos, Makhosi and Isomiso, as well as Charlie, their little hippo friend, into a new home. Our story doesn’t end there, though. One month later, while the orphans were settling in, we received a devastating call to help a calf from another reserve. For six cold, rainy days, this tiny calf had survived next to the lifeless carcass of his mother, who had been poached.

Having just opened our doors, every space we had was already occupied. But that didn’t deter us, and we managed to build a temporary living space for the little calf, who we named Ntoto. While the Zululand Rhino Orphanage might have been born from tragedy, ultimately, our story is one of hope. Nurturing and raising these precious survivors is of the utmost importance to us. It is our mission to ensure that they are released back into the wild where they belong.