Bahati, a southern white rhino calf that had been born without an anal opening is now growing stronger and more confident after a surgery.
The tiny calf was found by an Ol Pejeta Conservancy ranger team abandoned and alone in the bush.
The rangers stayed by her side through the night, keeping watch until morning.
At first light, the Ol Pejeta vets, led by Dr Joseph Mbuthia examined her before deciding to transfer her to the Mt Kenya Rhino Orphanage, where she could get the specialist care she needed.
The team discovered the reason she’d been struggling as the young rhino had atresia ani, a rare condition meaning she’d been born without an anal opening.
Without help, Bahati, just five days old, would not have survived.
A team of wildlife vets from the Kenya Wildlife Service, Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy and North Kenya Vet Services came together for the first surgery of its kind ever performed on a white rhino.
For two hours, under careful anaesthesia, the team worked to give Bahati a chance at life.
The Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC) now says that the young rhino is doing well.
“The rhino calf treated for atresia ani last week, is eating well and finding her feet under the close care of her keeper and vets,” MKWC says.
MKWC says the rhino has settled into life under the watchful care of its keepers.
She is giving us glimpses of his playful personality as his recovery continues, MKWC says.
“Her remarkable recovery has only been possible thanks to the collaborative efforts of Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club and an exceptional veterinary team.”
The team includes Dr Mukami Ruoro Oundo from KWS, Dr Mathew Mutinda Ndunda (KWS), Robert Aruho (MKWC), Dr Joseph Mbuthia from Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Dr Benjamin Oundo from North Kenya Vet Service NKVS).”
MKWC urged nature lovers to be part of Bahati’s journey by supporting the continued care through donations.
It says every contribution helps give animals like Bahati a second chance.
