Baby rhino rescued after poachers kill mother near Middelburg

A month-old calf is safe after suspected poachers killed her mother on a private game reserve near Middelburg. UBhetyan-O-Africa is located on the N11 Loskop Dam Road outside Middelburg, reportedMiddelburg Observer. The rhino is believed to have been killed between July 22-23.

She was shot and dehorned. The calf disappeared after the attack, prompting a farm-wide search. Farm owner Deon Cornelius confirmed that the calf had been located and said arrangements were being made for it to be airlifted to a rehabilitation facility, believed to be in Bela-Bela.

According to Cornelius, the rhino was found on the couple’s original game farm, where their wildlife is still being kept after they recently purchased Mbidi Lodge near Loskop Dam. The loss comes less than a month after the reserve celebrated the birth of the female calf. Susan Cornelius proudly announced the new addition to the game farm.