When a rhino calf arrives at an orphanage, it’s never a happy beginning. It’s usually the result of tragedy — a mother killed, a baby left confused, hungry, and alone.
Jamie remembers that moment clearly every time a new orphan arrived.
“When they first arrive… they don’t know why they’re all alone. They’re hungry. They’re traumatized.”
Growing up in South Africa, Jamie always loved wildlife. But her life changed in 2012 when she became the surrogate mom to a white rhino calf named Dani. From that moment, rhinos weren’t just animals to her — they became family.
“They see you as their mother… it’s deeper than a bond with a pet. It’s remarkable.”
A Mission Born From Loss
Most of the calves arriving at the orphanage were victims of poaching. Their mothers were killed for their horns, and the babies — too young to survive on their own — were left behind.
“Oftentimes these rhinos have babies with them… and those babies are then left orphaned.”
If a calf is under 16 months old, it cannot survive without milk. Even older calves still face danger from predators. That’s where the orphanage steps in: rescue, hand-raise, and protect them until they’re strong enough to return to the wild.
“We would go out, rescue them, hand raise them… about three to four years… and then release them again.”
That release is the ultimate goal — not captivity, not dependence, but a second chance at life.
Becoming Mom
The first nights are the hardest. The calves cry for their mothers. Some call for weeks.
“They miss their mothers… they cry for them. They cannot understand what’s happened.”
Caretakers sleep beside them to provide comfort. Literally.
“We would actually sleep in there with them… it’s like having a big dog on your bed — except it’s a 100-kilogram rhino.”
These moments create a bond Jamie describes as a true mother-baby relationship.
“It’s very much like a mother baby bond.”
The calves follow her everywhere. Walks in the bush become therapy sessions — for both human and rhino.
“We would go out for walks… they follow you because you’re mom.”
Sometimes they burst into playful zoomies, running wildly, tripping over their own feet, and collapsing into mud wallows — their favorite playground.
Healing Through Love
Many calves arrive injured. Some have machete wounds. Some have been shot. Treating those wounds takes months of careful care. But Jamie believes emotional healing is just as important.
Her mentor at the orphanage taught her a simple philosophy:
“Love heals everything. That’s all these rhinos need.”
And it shows in their personalities. Each calf is different. Some are stubborn. Some are affectionate. Some demand belly rubs. Others insist on placing their giant heads in her lap and refusing to move.
Jamie remembers Nandi especially — a calf who survived major surgery and went on to thrive.
Now released back into the wild, Nandi represents the success of the mission: rescued, rehabilitated, and returned to her natural life.
“The biggest success is when they then have babies of their own.”
That’s the real victory — survival turning into future generations.
Seeing Rhinos Differently
Before working at the orphanage, Jamie admits rhinos looked boring to her. Just large animals grazing quietly.
Now she sees something else entirely.
“When you get to know them, the personalities in these animals are unbelievable… they’re gentle, funny, clumsy… they’re amazing.”
Her goal has always been to show the world that side of them — the emotional, playful, deeply loving side — so people understand what’s truly at stake.
“I want people to see these personalities… so people will hopefully want to save them.”
Because every calf rescued is more than an animal saved.
It’s a life restored.
And one step closer to putting rhinos back where they belong — in the wild.