This Photo of an Orphaned Baby Rhino Reading With His Nurse Will Warm Your Heart

The world is facing a rhinoceros poaching epidemic of horrific magnitude. Although rhino horn is primarily composed of keratin, the same substance that makes up our own fingernails, the demand for this material is at an all-time high, particularly in China where it is considered an aphrodisiac.  The past few years have shown an alarming increase in rhino horn poaching, with thirteen rhinos reported poached in 2007 compared to a shocking 1,215 poached rhinos in 2014. Thankfully, there are organizations protecting rhinos like Rhino Revolution in the Greater Kruger Area, South Africa, the epicenter of the poaching crisis.

Ubuntu is a young orphaned white rhino who lost his mother to poaching. He arrived at the Rhino Revolution orphanage as its first patient when he was just four months old. His caretakers cherish him dearly and say, “He is very special to us as he was the first orphan to arrive. He is a very chilled, relaxed and gentle rhino and he has a very special way of comforting all our new arrivals.”

Ubuntu and his veterinary nurse share a sweet moment at the orphanage. Although this image shows how comfortable Ubuntu is with humans, contact with those other than his caretakers is limited, and they hope to release him back in the wild someday.

The orphanage is fully equipped with a natal unit with two full-time in-house veterinary nurses. They have gone to great lengths to protect the center, installing electric fencing, lighting, 24/7 armed guards, and even CCTV to monitor every moment of what goes on at the facilities. As a true rescue and rehabilitation establishment, the rhinos are not used as a tourist attraction and the public is not allowed access to these wild animals. With minimal human interaction, it is hoped the rhinos will eventually be able to be released back in the wild.

The world’s rhinos are facing extinction, and it can become a tragic reality if nothing is done to stop the rampant poaching.  Please visit the Rhino Revolution website to learn more about what they do and learn how you can sponsor one of the rhinos at the orphanage.

Image Source: Rhino Revolution / Facebook