05 Jun 2014
Rescued Baby Rhino Goes Live on the Net
Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (Pty) Ltd
HOEDSPRUIT, South Africa June 3, 2014 – The real time progress of a rescued baby rhino is now being broadcast live over the Internet. The heartbreaking story of 'Gertjie', affectionately known as “Little G”, who lost his mother to poachers in May, will play out on a live streaming channel as his rescuers attempt to care for and rehabilitate this 3 month old rhino.

Little G's new home is the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC) in South Africa, which specialises in the treatment of orphaned or injured animals.
“We took custody of a very special animal last night. A 3 month old baby rhino, anticipated to have been born on around the 19th February, was brought to the HESC after being found next to his dead mother who had been tragically and brutally poached for her horn. It was a devastating sight, as the tiny animal would not leave her side, and was crying inconsolably for her”, reported HESC in an official statement.

In an effort to show the world the very real effects of the rhino poaching crisis, HESC has partnered with Africam.com to broadcast from Little G's nursery where he sleeps during the night.

The baby rhino is usually in his room from 6pm to 6am CAT (12pm – 12am EST) where you can watch and listen to him relaxing and being fed every 3 hours throughout the night. Sometimes during the day he also catches a quick nap on the live streaming channel. He is under 24 hour protection and care and is getting to know his new family very well at HESC, who just adore him. Visit africam.com to meet Little G, hear more of his story and contribute to helping make sure that it does not become a common one.

HESC has seen a number of injured and orphaned animals successfully rehabilitated over the years, and they are hopeful that this will be another happy ending.

LINK TO LIVE CAMERA: http://www.africam.com/wildlife/baby_rhino_live_channel

Contact:
Paul Penzhorn
+27 (0)82 559 8478
paulp@africam.com


For further information on Gertjie, or to get involved, please contact Mari Theunissen:
e-mail: info@cheetahcentre.co.za
Tel: 012 460 5605

Ends./

For editors:

The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre focuses on the conservation of rare, vulnerable or endangered animals. Cheetah Conservation is one of their core disciplines.

The Centre is actively involved in:

  • The breeding of endangered, vulnerable or rare animal species
  • The release and establishment of captive-bred cheetahs to the wild
  • The treatment and rehabilitation of orphaned or injured animals which are brought to the Centre
  • The education of learners, students and the general public in conservation and conservation activities
  • Eco-tourism
  • A hands-on Student's Programme to conservation and adventure enthusiasts from around the world.

For more information, visit www.hesc.co.za, or contact 012 460 5605
Attachments
Photos