Honouring Andrew Boden: the story behind the name of a new black rhino calf
Durban — Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary has named its first-born critically endangered black rhino calf in tribute to the founder of ER24.
On August 24, rescued and rehabilitated critically endangered black rhino orphan, Phoebe gave birth to her first calf, the 19th calf born at Care for Wild and the first black rhino calf born to two rehabilitated orphans of poaching.
On Sunday, Care for Wild revealed the calf was named Andy, a name aligned with an important story.
Care for Wild said that in 2014, while the poaching crisis started to escalate, Care for Wild began receiving numerous orphans, many of them critically injured and wounded.
“We were in desperate need of high-quality medical supplies, wound dressings, and essential equipment. That’s when Mr Andrew Boden, founder of ER24, stepped in,” Care for Wild said.
“Andrew arranged for donations of vital supplies to help save these orphaned rhinos and continued to support us year after year, rhino after rhino. Whenever we saw an ER24 vehicle arrive at the gates - it was like Christmas! Loaded full with drips, bandages and dressings.”
Care for Wild continued: “Heartbreakingly, on March 17, 2021, we received the news that Mr Andrew Boden passed away, but his legacy of care lives on. To this day, ER24 and their incredible team continue to provide us with invaluable support.”
Care for Wild founder and CEO Petronel Nieuwoudt said: “Naming this little black rhino calf Andy, feels like a fitting tribute to a man who left his heart with the rhinos. Andrew’s support has been instrumental in getting us to where we are today. He helped us save countless rhino lives, and it’s an honour to name this beautiful and important calf after him.”
Earlier this month, Care for Wild said that days after Andy’s birth, their Rhino Monitors noticed he was limping.
After carefully discussing the best course of action, Care for Wild safely sedated and examined the calf before returning him to his mother. The examination revealed a thorn injury to his foot. Unfortunately, the thorn’s toxin was harsh and, over the following days, began causing necrosis in the surrounding tissue.
In the following weeks, several additional immobilisations and treatments were necessary to dress, bandage, and treat the calf’s foot. Each treatment was meticulously planned and executed to heal this little calf while keeping him with his mom. To ensure proper care and close monitoring, Phoebe and her calf were brought back to the bomas for a few weeks until he was fully healed.
“We are overjoyed and so grateful to share that they have now returned to the veld, and Phoebe and her calf are doing so well! A very, very big thank you to all our supporters who helped support his veterinary care and treatment. He is a very special rhino calf and he has been given a very special name…” Nieuwoudt said.
Care for Wild described Andy’s birth as “an extraordinary milestone in rhino conservation”.
Phoebe was rescued in 2017 and taken to Care for Wild for extensive rehabilitation and care after poachers killed her mother. She was later joined by another black rhino orphan, Ratu, in early 2018. After their rehabilitation, they entered a complex rewilding and reintroduction program.
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