Raya, meaning ‘joy’ in Swahili, is a young black rhino who was found in September 2022 in a Kenyan reserve, roaming alone. Rangers believe her mother rejected her or possibly lost her life in an altercation with another rhino.
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and KWS Mount Kenya Vet Unit responded to calls from Ol Pejeta Conservancy scouts, and were confronted with a tiny rhino calf, younger than a week in age.
Rangers and wildlife veterinarians found her injuries they suspect were a result of a jackal attack. Raya was transported to Nairobi Nursery to be treated and raised.
Nairobi Nursery neighbours the Nairobi National Park, which is home to a healthy population of black rhinos, including the nursery’s previous success story, Solio, an ex-orphan and her two calves. The Nursery hopes Raya will follow in Solio’s footsteps.
Raya struggled during her early days at the Nursery, as her tail had been bitten off, and her rear end mutilated and chewed off to the bone. After surgery her wounds healed. According to her keepers, although her body was struggling, her spirit persevered, and she would charge around her enclosure and huff and puff at the humans.
Raya’s enclosure has now expanded into the nearby forest and she waddles around it with great purpose. According to her keepers, she is curious, friendly and full of joy.
Find a recent video of Raya here.
