Meet Mbuzane, Ndumo, Tower and 6toe… four rhinos with larger-than-life personalities proving that conservation is as much about joy as it is survival.
South Africa (22 September 2025) – If you’ve ever watched a black rhino up close, you’ll know they’re far more than just one of Africa’s most iconic animals. They’re curious, cheeky, sometimes a little grumpy and always full of character.
And while each rhino has its own quirks, the real joy lies in seeing them thrive… safe, wild and free.
For World Rhino Day 2025, WWF’s Black Rhino Range Expansion Project (BRREP) is shining a light on the incredible personalities of some of the rhinos they’ve helped settle into new homes. Behind every horn and hefty frame is a story of resilience, care, and the tireless work of people determined to grow black rhino populations across South Africa.
“It’s always great to see the rhinos settling in so well in their new homes, which is why, for World Rhino Day 2025, we’re introducing you to a few of these rhino personalities,” says BRREP population manager Ursina Rusch.
Meet the Rhinos
Orphaned at just six months old when his mother, an extraordinary 40-year-old, passed away, Mbuzane’s future looked uncertain. Raised alongside three other rhino “siblings” at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s game capture bomas, he was released into the wild at five years old in 2022. Today, Mbuzane is living his best rhino life… fully grown, fully wild and a symbol of what years of dedicated care can achieve.
Ndumo’s story is a real full-circle moment. She was the last remaining black rhino in her area and too young to survive without protection. Taken in and raised at the bomas, she was released alongside Mbuzane and, in time, gave birth to her own calf. From being a vulnerable orphan to contributing to the next generation, Ndumo is proof that patience, love, and determination pay off.
Big in size and big in personality, Tower has a reputation for making an entrance. Known for his playful “dance” in front of vehicles, this feisty rhino proves that even the giants of the wild have a lighter side.
Named after Sixto Rodriguez, the legendary American singer-songwriter adored in South Africa, 6toe has her own star power. She has since given birth to calves affectionately nicknamed 7toe and 8toe, keeping the quirky naming tradition alive and reminding us that conservation comes with moments of humour too.
Meet the People Behind the Project
BRREP has been a game-changer for black rhinos since it began in 2003. Started by veterinarian Dr Jacques Flamand as a pilot project, it has since established 17 new rhino populations, moved 270 rhinos, and welcomed over 200 calves into the world.
Alongside Jacques, population manager Ursina Rusch and project leader Jeff Cooke carry the work forward, supported by dedicated teams, landowners, and conservationists who all share one goal: to give black rhinos a fighting chance.
Despite the challenges of poaching and shrinking habitats, the story is one of hope. Thanks to their efforts, black rhino populations are not only surviving but slowly growing.
On World Rhino Day, their stories aren’t just about survival, they’re about joy, second chances and the extraordinary difference humans can make when we choose to protect what we love.
And that’s something to celebrate.
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