Zebra Instantly Befriends Newborn Baby Rhino [Video]

• Daisy, a baby rhino, was rescued when she was only 12 hours old.
• Shortly after she arrived at South Africa’s Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary, a fellow rescue, Modjadji the zebra, befriended her.
• The sweet Modjadji gives Daisy company and comfort while she receives around-the-clock care at the sanctuary.

---

South Africa’s Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary witnessed an unlikely but beautiful friendship unfold between a zebra foal and a baby rhino.

The baby rhino was found by the SANParks rescue team during a routine operation. She was just 12 hours old when she was admitted. Her umbilical cord was still attached and she couldn’t stand by herself yet.

“She is incredibly weak and extremely vulnerable,” the sanctuary shared on Facebook on Dec. 11. “This little calf is being fed hourly around the clock. At this stage, the team works in shifts to ensure there is always a caregiver by her side. We have an extremely long road ahead, but every rhino matters.”

Daisy did not receive colostrum from her mother’s milk, which makes her immunocompromised. So the team had to give her around-the-clock care.

And they quickly fell in love with her!

“This tiny, miniature rhino instantly climbed into our hearts. With her oversized feet, droopy lips, and hairy ears, she looked prehistoric, and yet she was so unbelievably vulnerable,” they shared on Dec. 14.

Daisy’s caregivers make sure she has enough nutrients, medications, exercise, and warmth.

Thankfully, Daisy found a companion to give her comfort through all this: Modjadji the zebra.

A fellow rescue, the young zebra foal arrived at the sanctuary after severe storms. She’s also a fellow patient at the sanctuary’s ICU.

While Daisy still has a long way to go, she has impressed her caregivers already with her progress.

The sanctuary hopes that Daisy’s fighting spirit and Modjadji’s friendship will be more than enough to see her through the difficult days ahead.

If you wish to support the lifesaving work done by the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary, you can consider making a donation through their website.

Source: Daily Paws