Rhino Heroes Rescue Cow Calf Trapped in Rock Crevice

Photo Credit: Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary

There’s more than enough love to go around at Care for Wild! The rhino heroes have rescued a baby cow trapped deep in a rock crevice.

Nespruit, South Africa (12 July 2026) – How can you tell a true animal hero apart from everyone else? Well, they’re always willing to go the extra mile for any creature or critter in need. We saw it last week, when the heroes at SA’s Pangolarium rescued a baby leopard.

It happened again. This time, Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary mobilised to save a young bovine calf in distress.

“While Care for Wild is best known for rescuing orphaned rhinos, our rescue teams are always ready to help any animal in need.” the organisation shared.

During a routine drone patrol, the Care for Wild team spotted a young calf from a local community cattle herd trapped deep in mud between the rocks.

“He had slipped into a narrow crevice and become stuck fast in the thick mud, unable to climb out on his own.”

The rescue team mobilised immediately and reached the calf just before dark.

“Although we don’t know exactly how long he had been trapped, his dehydration, hypothermia and exhaustion suggest he may have been there for around 24 hours. One of his legs was deeply embedded in the mud, leaving him unable to free himself.”

Rangers and rescuers worked together using ropes to pull the young calf from the hole, but he was so weak, he was unable to stand.

“He has now been admitted to Care for Wild’s Intensive Care Unit, where he is undergoing a full assessment and receiving round-the-clock care.” Care for Wild shares.

We’re holding thumbs for the little calf’s full recovery – after all, he is in the best hands. Without his rhino rescuers, the situation could have ended differently.

Care for Wild specialises in the rescue, rehabilitation, rewilding, and ongoing protection of rhinos. It works toward a future where viable, free-ranging populations of black and white rhinos thrive within protected ecosystems.