Imake A Difference

$770 donated

Given by 6 generous donors in 9 weeks

Imake A Difference raises money for various projects designed to save the Rhino. We are currently focusing on Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage.

International

What We Need & What You Get

The Rhino orphanage has treated many patients successfully, with some babies being severely dehydrated, traumatized and injured. The dedicated staff have spent many a sleepless night bringing these sensitive animals back from the bring. Our oldest baby is weaned and ready for transfer back to the game reserve for transition to release.

Managing a rehabilitation facility is expensive business with as the 'babies' getting bigger they consume enormous amounts of milk as well as grass. The big 'babies' can drink up to 40 litres or 10 gallons of milk every day.

It also require a number of people to care for each animals, not only does each animal need 24 hour care especially in the beginning. Then there is the back up staff that take care of the facility and lastly but certainly not least there is the security staff.

Some of the costs in keeping a baby include (these are estimates on current usage per rhino per week):

Milk - $30

Lucerne and hay - $60

Veterinary medicine - $70

Veterinary care - $50

Carers, maintenance and cleaning staff, volunteers - $400

Security - $500

Then there are all the other expenses to running a facility such as property maintenance, vehicles, food office and internet and more.

There is also the some changes that are needed to some of the enclosures such as additional sleeping quarters for the rhino and for the volunteers. stronger fences and gates and more

The orphanage runs entirely on donations and for that we reason we appreciate all donations that you make.

Risks & Challenges

The location of any rehabilitation center also adds a few complications as they have to be in remote areas for both rehabilitation and security purposes. This means things like water can be challenging as it has to be pumped from a borehole, food has to brought in for both carers and animals.

Rhino calves are only fully weaned from their mother’s milk at 18-months and thus require bottle feeding for an extended period of time.

Rhino Calves require huge amounts of milk. A five month old could be taking up to 40 liters a day.

Rhino calves who have been traumatized in poaching incidents suffer emotional distress from watching their mothers die a violent death. Often the babies are injured in their attempts to protect the mothers from the attacks.

Rhino calves have to be kept in very sterile conditions to begin with as trauma and injury can severely compromise their immunity. Rhino calves, especially the very young ones are prone to illness and infections.

Rhino calves need constant companionship as they would have had with their mothers in the wild. It is not uncommon for them to die if they are left alone for extended periods.

Although they need 24-hour care there has to be a rotation of carers so that their human “mothers” do not imprint on them and they can be released back into the wild.

Rhino rehabilitate very well and when rehabilitation protocols are followed they can be released back into the wild, were they breed normally and display normal rhino behavior.

Other Ways You Can Help

If you are not able to donate funds towards our campaign then PLEASE spread the word by sharing this campaign on social media platforms. Thank you for caring.

Imake A Difference's involvement (page creator)

We are heading off on the 2nd Dtours fund raising expedition to Africa where to participate each car has donated money to help in the fight to save the rhino from the current poaching epidemic. Imakeadifference.co.nz makes sure this money goes where it is most effective. For those of you who aren’t coming but would like to contribute in another way here is a shameless plea for some of the cutest orphans in the world.

About us

Imake A Difference is a New Zealand run trust which raises money for projects to help save the Rhino in Southern Africa. 100% of funds raised are transferred directly to the projects themselves with no administrative costs taken. This year we are focusing on The Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage and we need your help.

Fundimvelo Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage is a specialised care and rehabilitation centre for orphaned rhinos based at Thula Thula Game Reserve in KZN.

Their mission is to rescue and provide specialist care to orphaned rhino with the aim to rehabilitate and release back into the wild in support of preserving the species.

The reality is that aggressive poaching is pushing the iconic rhino closer and closer to the brink of extinction. It is becoming increasingly evident that every rhino we can save is critical in this war on poaching and the fight to rescue a species.

One of the many tragic fallouts of the poaching crisis is the orphaned young rhinos that are left behind once the mothers have been killed. A rhino calf has no horn and depends entirely on its mother for food and protection from predators. Rhino calves suckle up to the age of 18-months and losing it’s mother in infancy often has a deadly outcome.

There is a shortage of facilities in with the ability to take in these brave little souls, and as a result we are losing young rhino that could have saved. In response to this need a unique partnership has been formed between The Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization (LAEO), Thula Thula Private Game Reserve and the local communities represented by their respective chiefs.

A world-class care facility has been constructed to give these magnificent animals the fighting chance they deserve at survival. This unique care facility will not only address the physical needs of the rhino but also nurture them mentally and emotionally to ensure that they are fully rehabilitated back into the wild. It has been designed with guidance from world-renowned rhino expert Karen Trendler, the LAEO and the Thula Thula wild team.