Our Latest Rhino Orphan

Meet RHINO ORPHAN Griffin

As 2023 drew to a close our project-partners at the Zululand Rhino Orphanage rescued another rhino orphan.

Thought to be just nine weeks old and weighing 147kg he had been found next to his mother in her dying hours. He had been observed calling for his mum and even trying to fight off veterinarians and reserve staff as they tried to help her, but sadly nothing could be done. 

He was brought to our partners at the Zululand Rhino Orphanage where he is being given round-the-clock care and following a few nervous early days has begun to settle well.

Adopt Griffin

Meet Griffin

All the rhino calves at the orphanage are given names; it assists the carers with the day-to-day running of the facility, helps with bonding and enables us to tell their stories more effectively.  And whilst the naming of all our orphans is special, this instance is more meaningful than normal. 

Our newest orphan has been named Griffin; a name chosen by Christine Pollack. The name Griffin has been chosen in honour of her son, who tragically passed away last September aged just 13. 

Griffin held a lifelong admiration for rhinos, and compassion for all living creatures, whether animal or human, so it is an honour that we can help Christine pay tribute to her son in this way. 

Rhinos were always close to Griffin’s heart; when Griffin was nine Christine adopted another of our rhinos in Griffin’s name, and when Sudan, the last male northern white rhino passed away in 2018, Griffin was deeply affected. Despite never having the chance to see a rhino in the flesh, Griffin adored these wonderful animals, always finding joy in watching videos of them. 

His tragic passing in September coincided not only with World Rhino Day, but also the birth of our most recent rescue. 

Griffin’s mother Christine said, “A young rhino has entered the world, born at the time that Griffin departed from it. Tragically, the mother of this newborn, like Griffin, met an untimely death in the wild. The convergence of these events underscores the profound connection between Griffin and the young rhinoceros”.

BECOME A PART OF THIS TOUCHING LEGACY

We are honoured that Christine has chosen to honour her son’s legacy by supporting Helping Rhinos’ work and gifting Griffin’s name to our newest orphan. 

While nothing can alter Griffin’s tragic passing, we are privileged to help honour his life and create a poignant reminder of his caring and compassionate nature. 

Griffin held a deep-seated desire to protect rhinos and have an impact on their future as a species. By honouring his memory through one of our orphans Griffin now has that impact, which his mother Christine and older brother Ryder will ensure it is an enduring one. 

Rhino Griffin has begun to settle well with our partners at the Zululand Rhino Orphanage, but this young orphan will be under their care for years to come. If you would like to help us ensure Griffin’s long-term care and honour the memory of a very special young man, please consider adopting our newest orphan, Griffin.