Brave Baby Rhino Lies Beside Dead Mother He Tried to Save from Poachers

With a heart-wrenching cry…

An orphaned rhino calf that has been since named Arthur was found with a hunter’s dart hanging out of his back, while lying next to his dead mother who had been killed for her “precious” horn. Investigators say the only reason little Arthur’s life was sparred was he was too young to have grown a horn. Unfortunately for his mother she wasn’t so lucky and fell victim to poachers.
When safari staff came upon Arthur, it was a pitiful sight with the calf cowering next to his dead mother — with an injured foot and the poachers’ dart still embedded in his skin.

Heartbreaking: Arthur the baby rhino as he was found alongside his dead mother. See Ross Parry story RPYRHINO – Harrowing picture shows injured baby rhino barely alive alongside his dead mother who was killed for her precious horn in Kruger Park, South Africa

Safari staff believe that Arthur attempted to protect his mother by getting between the poachers and his mother which led to receiving an injured leg — the calf was brutally struck with a machete as his stayed by his mother’s side.

Arthur the baby rhino playing at the orphanage. See Ross Parry story RPYRHINO – Harrowing picture shows injured baby rhino barely alive alongside his dead mother who was killed for her precious horn in Kruger Park, South Africa

The calf was evacuated from the scene and taken to the Care for Wild Rhino orphanage where his injuries were treated over the following weeks and he was given the name Arthur the Brave as testament to his bravery and loyalty to his mother.

The adorable baby rhino is recovering and is cared for with a surrogate support staff at the South Lakes Safari Zoo in Dalton, Cumbria. They group have adopted the young rhino and have pledged to raise at least $3000 a month to fund his rehabilitation with a conservation project entitled ‘Arthur’s Army’.
Although Arthur is recovering and growing he still makes heartbreaking calls for his mother, with volunteers at the orphanage describing it as ‘a heart-wrenching sound’ and one that he ‘should never have to make’.

Arthur the baby rhino being treated by staff at the orphanage. See Ross Parry story RPYRHINO – Harrowing picture shows injured baby rhino barely alive alongside his dead mother who was killed for her precious horn in Kruger Park, South Africa

Cumbria Zoo Company’s chief executive Karen Brewer, said: “This brave little rhino was given the regal name Arthur, meaning noble and courageous, and fitting for his fighting survivor’s spirit.
“Arthur is on the road to recovery. He has made friends at the sanctuary with fellow Rhino orphan Summer, and is a firm favorite with his care-givers.

South Lakes Safari Zoo chief executive officer Karen Brewer pictured (left) discussing her first year in charge of the Dalton business with director Kim Banks. See Ross Parry story RPYRHINO – Harrowing picture shows injured baby rhino barely alive alongside his dead mother who was killed for her precious horn in Kruger Park, South Africa

“In the wild a rhino calf will stay with his mum for three years. Arthur’s mother was snatched from him at an early age, Arthur still calls out for his mum; he will be emotionally scarred for a long time.”
Care for Wild is the largest rhino sanctuary and orphanage in the world and is the designated treatment and rehabilitation center for orphaned rhinos coming from the Kruger National Park which is home to the world’s largest remaining rhino population.