Rescued rhinos defy the odds, give birth after returning to the wild
Ezemvelo said the births demonstrate that orphaned rhinos can recover from trauma, return to their natural habitat and help rebuild SA's wild rhino population.
Six rhinos left orphaned by poaching have given birth after being rehabilitated and released back into the wild, marking a major conservation milestone for KwaZulu-Natal’s wildlife authorities.
The rhinos, rescued from various Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife reserves around 2017 after losing their mothers to poachers, have each produced calves in the wild following years of rehabilitation.
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Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife said the births demonstrate that orphaned rhinos can recover from trauma, return to their natural habitat and help rebuild South Africa’s wild rhino population.
Ezemvelo’s Game Capture and Veterinary Manager, Dumisani Zwane, described the births as a symbol of hope for the future of rhino conservation.
“Rehabilitating rhinos has proven to be a true conservation success,” said Zwane.
“With the right intervention, orphaned rhinos can return to the wild after time spent in captivity, breed naturally, and contribute to South Africa’s wild rhino population.”
The achievement follows years of intensive care, with orphaned rhinos typically spending between four and five years in rehabilitation before they are considered ready for release.
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“Orphaned rhinos remain in rehabilitation for about four to five years, until they are ready to be released back into the wild,” said Zwane.
Their rescue, veterinary care, rehabilitation, release and ongoing monitoring are a proof to the power of partnership.
Ezemvelo’s Game Capture and Veterinary Unit oversees every stage of the process, from rescue and veterinary treatment to rehabilitation, release and post-release monitoring.
The conservation authority said the programme’s success has depended on collaboration between government, private rhino orphanages and conservation organisations that assist with the high costs of caring for orphaned rhinos.
Ezemvelo acknowledged the contribution of several organisations that helped make the project possible, including African Wildlife Vets, Wild Wonderful World, Wildlife ACT, Wild Tomorrow, Ubuntu Trust, Zululand Rhino Orphanage, WWF-SA and REX, the Rhino Conservation Trust.
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The successful births are being celebrated as another step in strengthening South Africa’s wild rhino population at a time when poaching continues to threaten one of the country’s most iconic species.
