Many people know us for our work with elephants, but the first orphans rescued and reintegrated back into the wild by Daphne and David Sheldrick were actually rhinos! Over the years, we have successfully hand-raised 17 black rhinos, the youngest of whom is Apollo.

At the request of KWS, we rescued Apollo in October 2019 after his mother – a well-known wild rhino named Amoy – died from anthrax (Anthrax is a disease caused by the spore-forming bacteria Bacillus anthracis. It occurs on all the continents and commonly causes high mortality, primarily in wild herbivores) At just six months old, Apollo was extremely vulnerable to predators, so we had to act fast and before the calf risked vanishing forever in dense vegetation. What followed was a nail-biting race through Tsavo West National Park as the wily calf gave us the run around for several miles. Thanks to the tireless, and in cases herculean, efforts of many individuals, on the ground and in the air, we were finally able to secure Apollo before he was faced with the prospect of a lone night in the wild!

He was flown to our Kaluku Neonate Nursery, where our Keepers were ready and waiting. Apollo was initially wary of his new home and did not want anyone approaching him. However, our team won him over with the time-tested trick of giving him a tummy rub with a broom. It wasn't long before Apollo was eagerly following his Keepers around, happily slurping down his milk from a bottle, and luxuriating in his specially created mud bath.

We recently celebrated Apollo’s fourth birthday. It is hard to believe it’s been more than three years since his rescue, until you look upon the burly black rhino that Apollo has become. As he matures, he's becoming more reserved and stubborn, traits typical of a black rhino, but he retains a strong bond with his Keepers and cherishes his daily routine. So for now, he remains reliant on us, however, it won't be too many years until he’s actively transitioning back into Tsavo’s free-roaming black rhino population.

Rhinos are a vital part of Kenya's ecosystems. They play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of nature by controlling vegetation growth, which in turn affects the availability of food and water for other animals. Rhinos also help to create and maintain habitats by breaking up dense vegetation and creating open areas for grazing animals. Without their presence, ecosystems can become imbalanced, which can lead to the loss of biodiversity.

With the important role they play, every rhino's life is precious, particularly when you consider the fact that just over 900 black rhinos remain in Kenya. Africa’s rhinos continue to face the threat of poaching – for their horns – as well as habitat loss and fragmentation. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is committed to protecting rhinos and the places they call home, through anti-poaching patrols and habitat management, alongside the direct support of established rhino protection areas, such as the KWS Meru and Ngulia Rhino Sanctuaries, helping ensure these magnificent, prehistoric-looking, creatures not only survive but have the opportunity to thrive for generations to come. 

That’s why Apollo’s so special; not only is he a beacon of hope for his species, but he will play a role in shaping habitats for the benefit of other species, and all the while, as we document his journey from rescue to reintegration, he acts as an ambassador for rhinos and conservation efforts.

If you'd like to learn more about Apollo and his journey with us, please visit:

https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates/protecting-rhinos