Victoria 's Story

On the evening of 20 June 2025, a critically injured rhino calf arrived at Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary. Discovered alone and unable to stand, she was barely clinging to life. Dangerously underweight, hypothermic, and covered in wounds. She had lost everything, but she had not yet given up. Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a blindfold and earplugs were fitted to reduce stress, warm fluids were administered intravenously, and her tiny body was gradually warmed. Throughout the night, Petronel and the team remained by her side, doing everything they could to keep her alive.

Veterinarian Dr. Chris Smith soon joined the ICU team and conducted a thorough assessment, including X-rays to understand the full extent of her injuries. The results were heartbreaking: puncture wounds to her abdomen and mouth, and broken ribs.

In the days that followed, she remained in critical care, receiving round-the-clock support. Severely malnourished and without any energy reserves, she was transitioned onto bottle feeds to provide vital nutrition and to allow for the easy delivery of medications and supplements. Although rhino calves her age would usually no longer need milk overnight, this little girl required feeding every 2–3 hours just to keep her stable. As her condition slowly stabilised, she was moved from ICU to the Juvenile High Care Unit, a space designed specifically for older calves who still require intensive support. It was here that she began to rest more comfortably, rebuild strength, and perhaps most importantly, form bonds with her caregivers.

At first, she was very scared, but with time, patience, and quiet compassion, she began to trust. That trust proved essential, allowing the team to clean and treat her wounds without sedation, a milestone in both her physical and emotional recovery. Despite the biting cold of winter and the seriousness of her injuries, Victoria (named in honour of her fighting spirit) has begun to show amazing signs of progress. Her wounds are healing, her appetite is improving, and her spark is slowly returning.