Heartbreak at the Zululand Rhino Orphanage

HEARTBREAK AT ZULULAND RHINO ORPHANAGE

It is with great sadness that we share the devastating news of the passing of two rhino orphans, Ntoto and Isomiso at the Zululand Rhino Orphanage.

Ntoto and Isomiso had both been fighting a condition that the orphanage carers had never seen before and the vet team have yet to diagnose. Sadly, the little rhinos succumbed to the condition within days of each other. The Vets, who are continuing to try to identify the cause of the infection, have praised the orphanage staff who stayed with and cared for the orphans round the clock.

As you can imagine, this unforeseen tragedy has left the Orphanage team distraught and heartbroken. Having recently visited the Orphanage, I would like to pay a personal tribute to Meg, the Manager and all the staff at the Zululand Rhino Orphanage. Ntoto and Isomiso may have been too sick to survive their illness but I’m certain they will have known how much they were loved. The care, compassion, determination and courage of the team who did everything they could, and more, to save these rhinos is to be commended. With little time to grieve and make sense of what has happened, I know they will be working tirelessly as ever to ensure the safety and care of the remaining rhino orphans. I am so proud of their commitment and ceaseless endeavour.

Ntoto and Isomiso will be remembered - they were feisty and fun little rhinos, spirited, bold and brave. That their short lives started and ended in tragedy is a stark reminder to us all that we must continue to do all we can to protect this iconic species.

Simon Jones
CEO, Helping Rhinos