This orphaned rhino has made an unexpected friend.
Gertjie (aka Little G) is apparently bosom buddies with a lamb named Lammie. The two play together at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Center, an organization that rehabilitates orphaned and injured animals.
The rhino seems to mimic the lamb's prancing as the two frolic happily on the grounds of their South African home.
Gertjie did not come from such happy beginnings, however. He was brought to the HESC after being found next to his dead mother, a victim of poachers.
According to the World Wildlife Fund, poaching has increased dramatically in the past few years, and hundreds of African rhinos are killed every year for their horns.
Fortunately, Gertjie has been thriving under the care of his human keepers, who have posted footage online to document his journey. These YouTube videos have helped make Gertjie an Internet star; they've also raised awareness about rhino poaching.
Source
Gertjie (aka Little G) is apparently bosom buddies with a lamb named Lammie. The two play together at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Center, an organization that rehabilitates orphaned and injured animals.
The rhino seems to mimic the lamb's prancing as the two frolic happily on the grounds of their South African home.
Gertjie did not come from such happy beginnings, however. He was brought to the HESC after being found next to his dead mother, a victim of poachers.
According to the World Wildlife Fund, poaching has increased dramatically in the past few years, and hundreds of African rhinos are killed every year for their horns.
Fortunately, Gertjie has been thriving under the care of his human keepers, who have posted footage online to document his journey. These YouTube videos have helped make Gertjie an Internet star; they've also raised awareness about rhino poaching.
Source
VIDEO
I hope you are better at rehabilitation than deciphering actions. This is a very young rhino and this is how they mock charge. He is trying to make the photographer leave, not copying the lamb which couldn't care less about his surroundings, as long as they are together. How long to they think he will live when they release him to the poachers? any idea?
That is so cute..