Adopt a Rhino Orphan

Umoya

Female White Rhino
Born: December 2023

Umoya arrived at the Zululand Rhino Orphanage after being spotted from a helicopter running alongside another orphaned rhino. Both of their mothers had tragically fallen victim to poaching, leaving them to navigate the wild alone. ​ From the moment she arrived, Umoya displayed a gentle and sweet nature, quickly endearing herself to those around her. Her calm presence during her arrival at the orphanage is a testament to her resilience, even in the face of such a traumatic beginning. ​Umoya’s name, meaning “beautiful soul”, was chosen to reflect the gentle and serene nature she displays, capturing the essence of her spirit. You can support Umoya’s continued care by adopting her. 

Ingelosi (Ngelo)

Female White Rhino
Born: May 2024

Ngelo was found wondering alone down an unpopular tourist road, when approach she spooked and ran back to her mother’s 4-5 day old body, she had been poached, Ngelo was dehydrated and exhausted from her experience.​ She took to the bottle soon after her arrival but she was very weary of her carers. Despite her intense fear of humans, she was showing a glimpse of her true angelic nature, she was later named Ingelosi, Ngelo for short, the Zulu term for Angel. Support Ngelo’s continued care by adopting her. ​

Bhejane (Bheji)

Female Black Rhino
Born: August 2023

Bhejane or Bheji for short, takes her name from the native Zulu language and means ”Black Rhino”. Bheji was orphaned under tragic event during a routine dehorning on a private reserve. It was unknown to the dehorning team that her mother had a heart condition and that the drugs used during this anti-poaching effort would take Bheji’s mother from her. ​Since her arrival at Zululand Rhino Orphanage, Bheji has developed into a feisty, bouncy and curious little lady and is slowly adapting and bonding with her carers. You can support Bheji’s continued care but adopting her. 

Billie

Male White Rhino
Born: November 2023

Billie’s journey has a dramatic start, arriving after being airlifted from the location in which he was found. His journey was intense but he adapted quickly, accepting a milk bottle within just 12 hours of his arrival. ​Billie’s name was inspired by the soothing effect of Bill Withers’ song ”Lean on Me”, which calmed him during his stressful time in the crate. The name fit perfectly, especially as Billie appeared to almost sing along to the music that comforted him. Despite being the most recent addition to the Zululand Rhino Orphanage, Billie has already formed strong bonds with each of the rhinos and his carers. You can adopt Billie to support his continued care. 

Bhoboza (Boza)

Male White Rhino
Born: February 2024

Bhoboza, affectionately known as Boza was tragically found beside the lifeless body of his mother. It is suspected that he remained by her side for several days, until he was rescued.​ Initially Boza was anxious and frustrated, climbing his cage in distress. However, he quickly found comfort with his carers, often collapsing in relaxation while enjoying their scratches. Boza’s name was inspired by his bubbly and bouncy nature. His playful spirit and boundless energy were undeniable, capturing the hearts of everyone around him. You can support Boza’s continued care by adopting him. 

Lazula

Male White Rhino
Born: April 2024

His name, meaning “wanderer”, was chosen to reflect the story of his arrival at the orphanage, after he wandered into a ranger camp, where they sprang into action to help him. It was soon discovered that Lazula is almost completely blind, only able to see the shadows of his carers. This is the most likely cause for his fear and cautious behaviour. ​Despite his blindness Lazula has made an amazing recovery. Through the hard work of the rhino carers, Lazula has begun to trust his team, showing his growing comfort and confidence when he tries to play with them! Lazula is now thriving at the orphanage as part of the newest crash. The rhino carers are closely monitoring Lazula’s condition in consultation with an eye specialist. As they continue to observe him, there is hope that his blindness may, in time, be reversible, allowing him to experience Rhino life to the fullest. Support Lazula’s continued care by adopting him. 

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Griffin

Male White Rhino
Born: October 2023

Tragically Griffin was found next to his mother during her final hours, crying for her attention and even trying to fight off reserve staff and veterinarians as they tried to help her. Sadly, nothing could be done to save his mum. Arriving just before the 2023 festive season, the rhino carers worked hard providing 24/7 care and around-the-clock milk feeds to help him survive and grow. Curious, boisterous and, most importantly, a fighter of a little rhino orphan, he was given the name Griffin in honour and memory of a rhino-loving boy of the same name who tragically passed away in September 2023, World Rhino Month. Adopt Griffin to support his continued care. 

Samson

Male White Rhino
Born: March 2023

The name Samson was given to him by the lucky winner of our Name a Rhino Orphan Prize Draw; this name was chosen in honour of the winner’s childhood dog who was a gentle giant, very much like our sweet boy Samson. Samson was found late one afternoon after the Zululand Rhino Orphanage received a call to say that a rhino carcass had been spotted and a calf was wandering around on their own. He was loaded into the trailer and arrived back at the facility late that day where he slept most of the night. He has settled in well and bonded with fellow rhino orphan Lula, they enjoy a mud wallow together! You can adopt him to support his continued care. ​

Grumilo

Male White Rhino
Born: February 2023

Grumilo, a male rhino orphan was rescued at six months old by our project at Zululand Rhino Orphanage, with his mum believed, sadly, to be a victim of rhino poaching. Grumilo (pronounced GRU-MEE-LOW), is a combination of his original nickname ‘Grum Grum’ and a Zulu word meaning character. Together they mean ‘grumpy character’, as he was one of the trickier orphans the care team have dealt with! The team continue to be patient with this new wild orphan, working to gain his trust and ensure he feels relaxed and safe at the orphanage. You can support his continued care by adopting him. ​

Mulayo

Female White Rhino
Born: June 2023

In what was one of the most distressing rescues for the team, it was sadly discovered that Mulayo had been injured trying to protect her mother, in the fatal poaching attack that orphaned her, with open wounds to her neck and ear, ultimately resulting in the removal of her left ear. She has been given the name Mulayo, taken from the Zulu word Ekhazimulayo, meaning Radiant, by a generous supporter, perfect for this courageous young rhino who had to overcome so much early on in her life. Mulayo is doing well at the orphanage and you can adopt her to support her continued care. 

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Kulula (Lula)

Male White Rhino
Born: April 2022

Kulula (or Lula Boy for short), was named by Orphanage manager, Simoné, and renowned actor and animal activist, Peter Egan. Kulula, which means ‘Easy’ in the local Zulu language, was chosen as Lula was very easy for the team to settle into his new surroundings. Lula was only two weeks old when he arrived at Zululand Rhino Orphanage and was carefully placed into the rhino Intensive Care Unit. Kulula bonded incredibly closely with his carers and due to his young age spent an extended period in the ICU, unfortunately this made his introduction to the rest of the crash more difficult. Lula has now firmly found his place in the crash. You can adopt him to support his continued care. 

Msasaneni (Msasa)

Male White Rhino
Born: May to June 2022

Msasaneni, Msasa for short, was named after the area in which he was found by rangers. He arrived at the orphanage in early 2023 with sores over his body having spent up to two weeks alone in the bush. He is being treated and well cared for at the orphanage and you can support his rehabilitation by adopting him.

UKUTHULA

Male White Rhino
Born: October 2022

Ukuthula, meaning ‘Peace’ in Zulu but known as Ukoo, was found by rangers close to the carcass of his poached mother and airlifted to the orphanage. He was estimated to be six weeks old at the time of his rescue. After his traumatic experience, he is settling into the orphanage and you can adopt him to support his care.

MNENE

Female White Rhino
Born: March 2022

Mnene, meaning ‘Gentle’ in Zulu, was only two months old when she was found by rangers after her mother had been killed by poachers. She was rescued after a dramatic chase where she ran, ended up in a river and had to pulled out using ropes and a helicopter. She has settled into the orphanage ‘crash’ and you can adopt her to support her care.

VIKELA

Male White Rhino
Born: October 2021

Vikela, meaning ‘Protector’ in Zulu, was found on next to his poached mother at an estimated seven months old. He was collected from the reserve where he was found by trailer, transported back to the orphanage and sent straight into intensive care where after a few days, he finally took his milk. Support Vikela’s ongoing care by adopting him.

BINDI

Female White Rhino
Born: October 2021

Bindi, meaning ‘Brave’ in Zulu, was found at six months old after rangers spotted her poached mother. It took them over three days to find Bindi. After a long, dramatic and traumatic rescue, she was rushed to the orphanage, into intensive care and fell ill a couple of weeks after her arrival.
With dedicated love and care from the team and her own determination, she pulled through and now you can adopt her.

TWEED

Male White Rhino
Born: January 2022

Tweed was born on a private game reserve in the heart of Zululand, South Africa. Tweed was three months old when his mum was shot by poachers. She wasn’t instantly killed by the poacher’s bullet and did her best to survive, but in the end, she lost her fight for survival and so Tweed was rescued and taken to the orphanage. Support Tweed’s care after the traumatic loss of his mum with an adoption.

INKULULEKO (LEKO)

Male White rhino
Born: April 2021

Inkululeko, meaning ‘Freedom’ in Zulu, but known as ‘Little Guy’ Leko was rescued at one day old from a private reserve. He was found vulnerable, traumatised and desperately in need of nourishment as his mother’s udders were severely damaged, infected and not functioning. Support Leko on his journey to ‘Big Guy’ by adopting him.