Jazz, a one-week-old giraffe calf whose mother abandoned him, was taken in by The Rhino Orphanage in Limpopo, a centre that primarily fosters orphaned rhino calves.
Hunter, a Belgian shepherd, is the local watchdog and is trained to protect the rhinos against poachers. However, he has taken a strong liking to the baby giraffe and has apparently not left its side.
According to Arrie van Deventer, founder of the centre, Hunter is very protective over Jazz and is strict about the visitors he allows. ‘He doesn’t even allow his brother, Duke, near Jazz,’ he adds.
Jazz was brought in at only three days old in a comatose state after a neighbouring farmer called the centre for help. Jazz was severely dehydrated. Baby giraffes are notoriously difficult to care for when they are young. However, it seems that with his newfound companion’s encouragement, Jazz is doing fine. The centre has been posting updates on its Facebook page.
‘So concerned was Hunter about Jazz when he was in a coma that he did not want to eat. Now that baby is doing better Hunter has his appetite back too. What a special animal he is and so proud to have him on our Team,’ the centre posted. thankfully, Jazz is up and eating.
The Rhino Orphanage is a registered non-profit organisation that cares for orphaned and injured baby rhinos with the aim of releasing them back into the wild. To donate towards the worthy cause or learn more, visit its website.
Images: Facebook/The Rhino Orphanage
