Baby rhino captures hearts

Gertjie, who was ‘‘crying inconsolably’’ beside his dead mother when he was found, is now building up his strength. Photo / Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre

Baby Gertjie is slowly recovering after seeing his mother brutally killed

A baby rhino who was unable to sleep on his own after seeing his mother brutally killed by poachers for her horn, has captured the hearts of staff at a centre documenting his progress.

Gertjie was rescued from the wild on May 7 by staff at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre in South Africa after he was found next to his mother's body.

Now almost 4 months old, he is slowly being weaned off his night feeds and is building up his strength with daily walks. Staff at the centre, which helps conserve rare, vulnerable or endangered animals, said the baby rhino did not want to leave his mother's side and was "crying inconsolably" before being sedated and taken to the centre.

Gertjie, or "Little G" as staff have nicknamed him, spent his first night at the centre with a human minder and a sheep called Skaap, who acts as the surrogate mother to the animals there.

Staff have been taking it in turns to feed Gertjie every three hours and sleep outside his room to ensure he is fed regularly.

The centre has also set up a live channel so people can watch Gertjie. It is appealing for donations to help keep enough fat-free milk in stock. Baby rhinos are weaned off milk when aged between 15 and 18 months.