Recently, Care for Wild, had some much-needed rain, while it wasn’t a lot, it was enough to settle the thick, dusty air and encourage the first green shoots of summer. The veld has already started transforming from yellows and browns to luminous shades of green. Grey, Jemu, Lilly, and Spirit, along with the other released rhinos, almost immediately began grazing on the centimetre-tall grass that sprang up over just a few days. It’s wonderful to see them walking and grazing, but we must remember that the first grasses don’t necessarily provide enough nutrition for many animals. Supplementary feed will still be required to support the rhinos and other wildlife until heavier rains fall and the veld fully blooms. Rhinos need to consume 1-3% of their body weight daily—that’s a lot of food—so supplemental feeding remains essential, especially for nursing mothers like Spirit.
