The young white rhino calf is settling into his new surroundings at the Zululand Conservation Trust orphanage, showing remarkable progress under the care of dedicated experts.
South Africa (22 January 2026) – The Zululand Conservation Trust has shared a heartening update on one of its newest and most vulnerable arrivals, a young white rhino calf who has now safely reached the orphanage and is settling into his new surroundings.
After arriving, the calf underwent a thorough veterinary check-up, where he was weighed at just over 300 kilograms and assessed to ensure he was stable and healthy. From there, he was carefully placed into a secure crate, giving him the quiet space he needed to rest and recover after what had been a stressful journey.
To help ease the transition, the team followed standard conservation protocols by temporarily fitting the rhino with a blindfold and earplugs. These measures are used to limit stress and sensory overload during unfamiliar handling. With the next milestone, the Trust has now removed his earplugs as part of his carefully managed introduction to his new environment. While he was understandably hesitant at first, the moment passed quickly, and he soon found his calm again.
Caretakers say the young rhino is responding incredibly well, growing more confident with each step and handling change at his own pace. His blindfold will be the next to go, as the team continues to gently introduce him to his surroundings with his wellbeing as the top priority.
This is just another example of the vital work done daily by the Zululand Conservation Trust, an NPO dedicated to preserving, protecting and nurturing wildlife and natural habitats for future generations.
Those who wish to support the Trust’s ongoing rescue and rehabilitation efforts can do so via their donation platform here.
Sources: Zululand Conservation Trust
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