Lilli's Story

The rescue and relocation of Lilli was only made possible through the collaboration of several organisations and a deeply committed team who refused to give up on her. Lilli was born in early December 2017 and was just under five months old when she became an orphan.Her mother was 38 years old when she was brutally killed for her horn. Over her lifetime, she had raised many calves and was known to the rangers as an exceptional mother. It seems that she passed on her strength and survival instincts to Lilli, giving her the resilience she would need in the days that followed her death.

Alone in the bush and still dependent on milk, Lilli managed to survive for several days on grass and water from the river while search teams worked tirelessly to locate her.

When she was finally found, Lilli was immediately taken to Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary by veterinarian Dr Ferreira du Plessis The Care for Wild team was on standby, prepared for a weak, cold, and dehydrated calf. To everyone’s surprise, Lilli arrived in a far better condition than expected, with a stable body temperature and a strong blood glucose reading. She was somewhat dehydrated and immediately placed on IV fluids to support rehydration and help flush toxins from her system.

From her very first bottle feed, she adapted quickly, responding with surprising confidence for such a young calf. Over the following days, her blindfold and ear protection were gradually removed, allowing her to become familiar with the voices and presence of her caregivers. By day three, she had moved into her own night pen and soon began exploring the boma, grazing on fresh grass and slowly settling into her new home.

Lilli is named after the lily flower, a symbol of purity and innocence. Like the flower that rises from the mud and blooms through darkness, her name reflects both her vulnerability and her quiet strength.

From the beginning, Lilli has shown a gentle and beautiful spirit. She is strong, sweet, and deeply observant, often echoing the quiet resilience of her mother. As she grew, she began to explore further afield, joining walks across the reserve and gradually integrating with her new crash, including Lofo, Twinkle, Busiso, Zac, Grey, Jemu, and Spirit.