Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary NPC

Our Mission

General Goal of the Work:

Rhino calves that are orphaned in the wild rarely survive. The mission of Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary (CFWRS) is to rescue every rhino that is orphaned, to heal and rehabilitate them and provide a secure environment where they can grow, roam free, and breed to ensure that there will always be rhinos in Africa.

Specific Objective:

Our specific objective is to secure free ranging Black and White Rhinoceros in protected sanctuaries across Africa, to ensure the survival of the species for future generations.

Methods that Are Used by Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary NPC: Rescue:

When there is a poaching incident involving a rhino - rangers from South African National Parks (SANParks), Provincial Parks and/or private rhino owners call CFWRS. Time is of the essence, as rhino calves are vulnerable to predators without the protection of their mothers and are often severely injured by the poachers. CFWRS negotiates a helicopter to track the exact position of the orphaned rhino. Depending on how big it is, a decision will be made to either send in vehicles to fetch it or it will be airlifted to our sanctuary immediately. Radios are used to alert staff to be on standby in the intensive care section at CFWRS especially if the baby rhino is wounded. Veterinarians, plastic surgeons and other experts are also called in to tend to the rhino calf. Emergency measures are used to save as many orphaned rhino as we possibly can.

Rehabilitation:

CFWRS has high-quality bomas (enclosures) that house the rhinos during the early stages of their rehabilitation. The bomas have been built to South African National Park (SANParks) standards. All rhinos are supplied with clean water, nutritious feed, and an area for mud bathing. Upon their arrival, the rhinos (depending on their injuries) are housed in the intensive care facility that has the ability to regulate temperatures. Once stabilised, they are moved to the centre's high care facility to be integrated with the other rhinos. This is where they are able to form rhino crashes and unique bonds. All rhinos are housed indoors during the first three to five months of their rehabilitation (or for as long as is necessary) and during this time the rhinos are observed and monitored.

Release:

Upon a successful rehabilitation, orphaned rhinos are released into the CFWRS intensive protection zone. This stronghold was created specifically to protect rhinos. On releasing the rhino into the Stronghold all rhino are protected by CFWRS unique security system, which includes rhino monitors in close proximity with the rhino 24 hours a day, 365 day per year. They are backed by a professional armed reaction team that consists of armed game scouts supported by trained K9 handlers and dogs. Boundary fences are patrolled every day by the mounted patrol unit.