THANK YOU
We are so grateful to everyone that has donated to our Urgent Appeal to support Lazula's first year of care - THANK YOU! You have already made a real difference in the life of this young rhino. If you would like to continue supporting Lazula and play a long-term role in his care, we are thrilled to announce he has now been added to our Adoption Centre.
Our adopters are an extension of our rhino care team and play a vital role in the lives of our rhinos. The consistency of an Adoption makes the world of difference for our orphans, helping to cover everything from milk feeds to medical costs, supporting our care team, and providing vital security for the orphanage.
April 2024 – Our project-partner, Zululand Rhino Orphanage received a call about a rhino calf found alone in the wild and the team spring into action. Thought to be just one week old, this tiny calf has miraculously wandered into a ranger camp where the rangers immediately knew he needed help.
Upon reaching the calf and assessing him the orphanage team acts quickly to get him to the safety of our dedicated, specialist facility. Despite his ordeal wandering alone in the wild at such a young age, the calf, who the team have named Lazula (meaning Wanderer in Zulu), seems to be in a relatively good condition. But upon further examination they notice he is incredibly skittish, jumping at every movement. The team soon realizes that this tiny orphan is almost completely blind – likely only able to make out shadowy figures of his rescuers.
UPDATE 4 - Lazula Makes PROGRESS
While we have been busy raising vital funds to help Lazula, this wonderful little rhino has been busy learning to help himself.
In our last update we told you about the few accidents Lazula had been having; running into things and becoming disorientated. But as he’s spent more time at The Zululand Rhino Orphanage he has been learning his way around the facility. With help from the dedicated care team, and some guidance from his crash-mates, Lazula has been getting more and more familiar with his new home. We think he has begun to memorize where the obstacles are and learn to avoid them, he is a very clever little rhino.
A major achievement for Lazula has been learning to use the crush - a vital tool for our care team. The crush is a corridor made from poles which the team uses when moving our orphans into other areas of the facility or onto the scales for weigh day. We weren't sure how Lazula was going to manage this narrower passageway, but he has impressed us all and handled it like a champ! You can watch Lazula and his crash manoeuvre the crush in the video below.
UPDATE 3 - Lazula meets his crash mates
While Lazula has begun to settle well and bond with his crash mates – Umoya, Billie, and Boza (crash is the term for a herd of rhinos). However, because of Lazula's blindness, not everything has been straightforward.
From running into things, getting bumped by his crash-mates, and becoming disorientated and stressed, the reality of life as a rhino calf with sight loss cannot be escaped - and it is heartbreaking to see on occasions. But it is equally heartwarming to see this vulnerable little baby get a second chance at life thanks to the specialist facilities at Zululand Rhino Orphanage and the dedication of the carer team.
Every day is a learning curve for our team who are doing all they can to make life as easy and safe as possible for Lazula and we remain confident that with he right support and patience, Lazula will adapt well to his surroundings - but it will take a lot of hard work and a lot of understanding. And unfortunately, it will take a lot of investment in Lazula to ensure he stays safe and well.
Will you help our dedicated team provide Lazula with the best care possible by donating to our Urgent Appeal and having your DONATION DOUBLED?
UPDATE 2 - LaZula Ventures Outside
Following Lazula’s diagnosis of congenital cataracts discussions with specialists were started to see if anything can be done to restore Lazula's eyesight - but this is a long-term issue, and the care team had to continue the immediate and vital task of settling Lazula into his new home.
Once settled the next big step for an orphan is the first trip outside. Our orphans are often nervous at this step, and for Lazula his sight loss made this even more intimidating.
But following a bit of reassurance from his carer Lazula picked up his courage and headed outside, and it wasn’t long before the excitement took over!
Baby rhinos are like any youngster - energetic, rambunctious, and sometimes lacking in spatial awareness. Add in Lazula's sight loss and there is the ever-present risk of injury.
One way we can mitigate this risk is by upgrading the fencing at our dedicated facility – the current fencing is too thin for Lazula to make out, meaning he has run into it. While it has only been a few bumps so far, it is a risk that we must adjust for. By installing a sturdier pole fence Lazula will have more chance of making out the structure and be able to navigate his new home safely.
We want Lazula to have the same quality of life as any of our orphans and ensuring a safer space for him to grow in will make a huge difference for little Lazula.
Please donate to our Urgent Appeal to provide for Lazula’s specialist care and help us raise the vital funds to provide the care he needs.
UPDATE 1 - LaZula IS almost blind
Following Lazula’s rescue in April the orphanage team set to work settling him into life at the Orphanage – getting him used to drinking milk from the bottle and forming the vital bond of trust between carer and orphan.
But Lazula was nervous, even becoming aggressive with the carers. Vet Trever was called in to assess the tiny rhino and determined that Lazula had congenital cataracts in both eyes. It is likely he was born with sight loss; however it could have manifested as a result of stress after separating from his mother, or the trauma if she was poached.
While we will never know the cause we are in contact with specialists to determine the way forward, but for the moment we are focused on Lazula’s immediate wellbeing and quality of life.
Despite his challenges we are determined to give Lazula the same level of care as any of our orphans – but we need your help to do this.
Please donate to our Urgent Appeal towards the costs of Lazula’s first year of care – estimated to be around £20,000 ($25,600 / R475,027). This will cover his basic needs, extra medical expenses, and upgrades to adapt our facility to meet his needs.
CARING FOR A BLIND RHINO ORPHAN
The team has never cared for a blind calf before and soon realise that this will be a huge test of their skills and resources. Any rhino orphan, and especially one this young, needs intensive round-the-clock care - including a milk feed every two hours and a carer to comfort them as a mother would. But on top of this Lazula will need extra care – including long term medical support and specialised facilities.
In the three months since Lazula’s rescue just how severe his sight loss is has become more evident and the extent of his needs more understood.
Lazula’s care costs for the first year alone are likely to be around £20,000 – to feed him, keep him safe and warm, meet his medical needs and make adaptations to the facility to help him move around safely.
WILL YOU HELP CARE FOR LAZULA?
We are launching an Urgent Rhino Orphan Appeal to help raise these funds and support the incredible care team at the Zululand Rhino Orphanage as they strive to give Lazula the specialist care that he requires.
Lazula's rescue in FILM
Part 1
Part 2
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