Springbok physiotherapist Rene Naylor was amongst a team of animal rescuers who helped rehabilitate a baby rhino.
The mission came shortly after Bok captain Siya Kolisi, along with several other players, visited the Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary in Mpumalanga last month.
Siya reunited with Daisy, whom he last saw in 2022.
SPRINGBOK PHYSIO HELPS REHABILITATE A BABY RHINO
In a social media post, Springbok physio Rene Naylor shared her experience in helping care for an injured newborn rhino named Andy.
With Care For The Wild, Rene used her special skills to massage the little calf’s leg. After nursing him, Andy – whose mother’s name is Phoebe – was returned to the wild.
Rene captioned the clip: “Tight five or Big five physio can make a difference.
Elaborating, she continued: “Baby rhino Andy injured his foot when only two days old. The wound has made him limp and not take full weight on his foot. As a result, muscle wasting and muscle shortening. So, while the vet did his wound dressing, I managed to do some physio.
“Rehab for a rhino as for an athlete involves: pain management, regaining mobility and strength, nutrition and most importantly knowing someone cares.”
Take a look…
SIYA KOLISI REUNITES WITH DAISY
Meanwhile, Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary recently shared pics of their special visitors – the Springboks themselves!
And that included captain Siya Kolisi, who reunited with a special friend he last saw in 2022.
In the pics, the 33-year-old was seen bottle-feeding Daisy, an orphaned white rhino.
The heartwarming caption read: “Siya first met Daisy when she was just a few months old, and she immediately connected to him, gravitating toward his calm and compassionate energy.”
It added: “Daisy holds a special place in his heart, and she still remembers him!”
In late 2021, Daisy was rescued by a SANParks team during a routine operation in the Kruger National Park. The little rhino was just hours old and had still had her umbilical cord attached to her.
Through the collective efforts of medical specialists and conservationists, Daisy received round-the-clock care and attention. She is now healthy and thriving, and her carers hope to reintroduce her into the wild.
DO YOU ENJOY WATCHING VIDEOS OF THE SPRINGBOKS INTERACTING WITH ANIMALS?
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