Thula Thula Game Reserve welcomed a rhino calf suitably named Busiswe, which means ‘blessing’ in Zulu. Proud mama Mona gave birth to Busiswe just before lockdown in March.
‘Highly protected by her mother, we had very few sightings so far. Mona is gaining more confidence and trust that she lives in a safe environment as we see her more and more in open grassland. Mona, Sissi, Thabo and Ntombi are monitored 24/7 by our anti-poaching team,’ the reserve said on Facebook.
‘A true blessing, the first rhino baby born on former Zulu Royal Land in over a century and a blessing during this critical time.’
In the video, the mother can be seen peacefully grazing, when suddenly an energetic Sissi comes screeching around the corner and runs toward a pool of mud with an enthusiasm possessed only by young ones.
‘This is the first video where we can see clearly our little bundle of joy baby rhino that we named Sissi,’ Thula Thula said according to SA People.
Watch the adorable youngster here:
The reserve’s anti-poaching unit is always hard at work:
Members of the public can ‘adopt’ Sissi or any other rhino in the reserve to contribute towards conservation. Take a look at their conservation fund here or donate via Paypal here.
The black rhino’s current population is estimated to be between 5,366 and 5,627 individuals in Africa and is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN’s Red List, according to Save The Rhino. White rhino numbers are between 17,212 and 18,915, and the species is listed as Near Threatened.
Image credit: Screenshot from video
