Little Orphaned Rhinos Dance In Circles As They Meet For The First Time
The story of Matimba the tiny young rhino was a tragic one until just a few weeks ago. After his mother was slaughtered, the 1-month-old calf was taken to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre in South Africa. Still reeling from the loss of his mother, the calf was visibly upset and wouldn't stop crying out for her.
But thanks to careful rearing by his rescuers, Matimba is recovering and finding his way around the sanctuary. He goes for walks and explores, and has even met a new friend.
In a strikingly similar story, another calf named Gertjie ended up at the same sanctuary earlier this year after his mother died in the same way that Matimba's mother did - as a victim of the rhino horn trade, whose demand has shot up by 30 percent over the past 13 years.
But the two calves survived, and their caretakers brought them together for a heartwarming first meeting.
They were wary at first ...
... but soon they got nearly close enough to touch.
Gertjie, the larger calf, still has some adjusting to do.
But this looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
See this page for information on how to end the illegal trade in rhino horn through letter-writing campaigns, public awareness and better enforcement.