VIDEO: Baby rhino refuses to leave keeper’s side after seeing mother killed by poachers

A baby rhino is refusing to leave the side of his keeper, after watching his mother be brutally attacked and killed by poachers in South Africa.

Screen Shot 2014-06-10 at 19.14.21

by Ellie Hooper |
Published on

The animal, named Gretjie by staff, saw his mother be butchered for her horn by poachers, and was later found by game reserve workers.

Gretjie was found next to his mother's body, crying inconsolably. But since being taken to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, the animal has found comfort in the form of a female keeper.

Since arriving, the rhino finds solace in having the keeper near him, and apparently refuses to go to sleep without someone close by him.

Rhino horns can cost more than gold on the black market, hence why poachers are keen to risk their luck getting into game reserves and killing these endangered animals.

In 2013, it is estimated that over a 1,000 rhinos were killed, and if they continue at this rate the species will be extinct by 2026.

Staff take it in turn to sleep with the baby rhino in his enclosure, so that he doesn't feel alone whilst he grieves for his mother. He also currently needs feeding every three hours as he is so young.

The baby rhino is taken on long walks every day to build up his strength - and is apparently partial to the odd mud bath too.

Watch the footage here:

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us