A Baby Zebra Comforts And Heals An Orphaned Rhino Calf
Daisy and Modjadji would never have met in the wild.
The baby rhino and juvenile zebra at the Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary, on the other hand, have become unexpected friends and are helping each other recuperate.
Credit: CARE FOR WILD RHINO SANCTUARY
Daisy was discovered alone and suffering in Kruger National Park, South Africa, in early December. Daisy was just a few hours old and quite frail, so her rescuers flew her to the sanctuary’s urgent care center by helicopter. Daisy required 24-hour care and feeding, as well as various medications to assist her immune system and regulate her body temperature.
Credit: CARE FOR WILD RHINO SANCTUARY
Daisy, however, was not the only newborn animal at the hospital.
“Modjadji was taken to the sanctuary’s ICU at the end of November after being found immobile and hardly breathing on the reserve following severe rains and storms,” Louwhen Bowker, Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary’s media liaison, told The Dodo. “Modjadji was considered to be a week old at the time.”
Credit: CARE FOR WILD RHINO SANCTUARY
The two young orphans formed a close friendship, becoming each other’s chosen family.
“As they grew stronger and braver, their curiosity got the best of them, and they started interacting with each other,” Bowker said. “Rhinos are very social animals and require companionship. Modjadji is fantastic company for Daisy and very affectionate towards her.”
Modjadji and Daisy are more like sisters after a month together. Modjadji isn’t far behind Daisy, wherever she is.
“They snuggle together at night,” Bowker observed, “which provides Daisy comfort and security.” “[Modjadji] is a companion who can be with her at all times, which helps Daisy avoid too much human interaction.”
Credit: CARE FOR WILD RHINO SANCTUARY
Daisy and Modjadji will one day be allowed to roam freely and interact with other rhinos and zebras. But, for the time being, all they need is each other to demonstrate that the family you pick is the family that truly matters.
