Rhinos use mud to protect their thick, yet sensitive skins from the sun, but when an orphaned rhino is too young to wallow, it helps to have a caring human to lend a helping hand.
Undisclosed Location, South Africa (19 September 2022) – One lucky rhino calf recently got a muddy spa day at the Rhino Orphanage to help protect his skin from the heat of the day and the already baking sun. One of the carers at the orphanage went in armed with a bucket of mud as the young orphan had not learned how to wallow yet.
The Rhino Orphanage takes care of all the calves left behind due to poaching. These young rhinos often need 24-hour specialised care, which is why they are taken from the wild and cared for at the orphanage. They would not survive out in the wild on their own.
Arrie van Deventer founded the Rhino Orphanage in 2012. The orphanage takes in young rhinos, rehabilitates them and then releases them back into the wild when they are ready. The facility became the world’s first rhino orphanage.
Since then, they have saved countless young rhinos and returned them back to the wild. The team dedicates itself entirely to the cause, working day and night to be there for the scared young souls.
“Because no handsome young boy wants dry, flaky skin. Benji gets the full spa day treatment. He doesn’t know just yet how to wallow on his own. Luckily he has caring humans who can lend a helping “muddy” hand”
Benji also known as Kwayera, arrived at the orphanage in March of 2022. We featured Benji on Good Things Guy in an adorable story after the orphanage’s anti-poaching Hunter cuddled up next to him in July.
Take a look at the spa day below.