A heartwarming story unfolded at The Rhino Orphanage in South Africa when they received news about a two-month-old baby rhino who had lost her mother to poachers. This young rhino had been struggling to survive on her own for four days, and when she was brought to the orphanage, she was weak and frail. The team knew they had to act quickly to help her recover.
Jamie Traynor, one of the caretakers, took special care of the little rhino, feeding her milk and giving her the attention she desperately needed. Slowly but surely, the baby rhino began to regain her strength, and they lovingly named her Nandi, which means “love.” Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation, a partner organization that supports The Rhino Orphanage, shared on Facebook, “Her name is ‘Nandi’ which means love. She drank her milk straight away on Saturday night and is still drinking well and eating dry food. She’s a little rhino with a big attitude and has given Jamie many bruises already, but she’s slowly getting to know the caregivers.”
While Nandi was settling into her new home, an unexpected friendship began to blossom. One of the orphanage’s residents was not a rhino, but an orange tabby cat named Mewie. Mewie had been rescued by Traynor when he was just a kitten, and though he was mostly independent, something about Nandi caught his attention.
Mewie seemed drawn to Nandi, and from that point on, they became inseparable. The two unlikely friends would nap together, share meals, and even go on long walks around the orphanage. Traynor shared with The Dodo, “They get along pretty well because they both love to go for walks and then come back home and take a nap. Mewie needs to be carried back from the walks because he gets too tired!”
A touching moment was captured in a video of one of their walks, showing Mewie frequently looking back to make sure Nandi was following closely behind. It was clear that Mewie had taken on the role of protector for his much larger friend, always ensuring she was by his side.
During her two-year stay at The Rhino Orphanage, Nandi grew from a fragile baby into a strong and healthy rhino. Eventually, the day came when the orphanage proudly announced that Nandi was weaned and ready to return to the wild. This was a huge milestone, as there had been uncertainty about whether she would ever be strong enough to survive on her own. The successful release of Nandi into her natural habitat was a triumphant moment for everyone at the orphanage.
Though Nandi’s return to the wild was cause for celebration, it also meant that Mewie had to say goodbye to his dear friend. While their time together had come to an end, the bond they shared over the years was undeniable, and it’s likely they’ll remember each other for a long time.
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Fortunately, Mewie’s work at the orphanage isn’t over. With many more young rhinos in need of care and companionship, the loving cat is sure to continue spreading his warmth and support to the new arrivals. Mewie’s journey as a caretaker is far from finished, and his legacy of love will carry on with every new friend he makes.
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