Sibeva 's Story

In the final days of November 2016, Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary was contacted about a severely injured rhino calf in the Mpumalanga region. Her mother had been killed by poachers, and only fleeting sightings of the calf had been reported since. Rangers believed she may have sustained a gunshot wound to her front left leg, adding urgency to an already critical situation.

A full search and rescue operation was launched. However, heavy rainfall quickly erased tracks, and the calf disappeared into dense bush, making aerial tracking extremely difficult. Additional experienced trackers were brought in from neighbouring farms to assist, and for days the search continued with growing uncertainty.

Nearly eight days after the initial incident, hope was beginning to fade when a helicopter team finally spotted the calf. Petronel, alongside Veterinarian Dr. Albertus Coetzee and the reserve’s anti-poaching unit, immediately mobilised for the rescue. The young calf was carefully located, secured, and placed into a transport crate before being flown to safety.

On arrival at Care for Wild, the veterinary team immediately began treating the injury caused by the bullet wound. Intensive care, wound management, and careful monitoring followed as she began her recovery journey in the ICU.

In the weeks that followed, two more orphaned calves, Leo and Faye, arrived at Care for Wild. Together, the three formed a close bond, becoming a small crash that supported one another through the early stages of rehabilitation. As Sibeva’s physical wounds healed, so too did her confidence, strengthened by the stability and companionship of her new family.

The team extends deep gratitude to all those involved in her rescue mission, including Richard Fair (pilot), Wayne Kenneth, Dr. Albertus Coetzee, neighbouring farm trackers, Willie and his team from W.A. EN Genote Security Company, and Marius Nel. Their combined efforts ensured Sibeva’s survival during a critical moment.