South Africa opens specialist rhino refuge

Africa's first specialist care centre for baby rhinoceroses has officially opened in the Limpopo Province in South Africa.

The non-commercial orphanage opened at the Wildlife & Cultural Centre and will play a pivotal role in the Rhino Response Strategy National Rescue and Response network.

A five-month-old black rhino has become the first to receive round-the-clock attention from the dedicated care centre team, after reportedly being abandoned by its mother.

Specialist carers are nursing the youngster back to health before releasing him back into the wild, although ethical protocols had kept the baby rhino's arrival under wraps until his condition had stabilised.

Rhino expert Karen Trendler coordinates the Rhino Response Strategy alongside centre director Arrie Van Deventer and his team.

Trendler said: "The young calf that was found was in need of urgent and specialised medical attention and needed a secure and caring facility where he could receive the appropriate care, with the ultimate aim of rehabilitating him into the wild where he belongs."