A rhino who was rescued as a four-month-old after her mother was killed by poachers has given birth to her first calf, almost two years after being released into the wild.
According to Good Things Guy, Lula gave birth to a healthy male calf on September 7. The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC), which raised her, reported on World Rhino Day that both were doing well. After staying close to cover during his first few days, the calf has begun exploring the reserve.
Lula arrived at HESC in 2024 and formed a bond with another orphaned rhino, Khulula. The two were released into the wild together in October that year. Lula has since been seen with Ubuntu, another rescued and released rhino, although the calf’s father has not been confirmed.
HESC has rescued 19 rhinos, of which 12 have been released. Its Reviving For Rewilding project aims to give rhinos still in its care more space and less human contact as they prepare for release.
