SHOP DONATE
Your cart is empty

Read about our survivors

and all the wildlife we care for

Category: Southern White Rhino

World Rhino Day 2025

Honouring Seha, Our Ultimate Survivor

On this World Rhino Day, we share the story of one of the most remarkable survivors we have ever treated — Seha, our iconic Southern White Rhino bull. His name whispers “Sehawukele” in Zulu: Have mercy on us.

In 2016, under a cruel poacher’s moon, Seha endured the unimaginable. Both his horns were hacked away, leaving a 49cm gaping wound across his face — raw, deep, and reaching into his very breath. He was the sole survivor of five rhinos attacked that night.

When we first reached him, his injuries were unlike anything we had ever seen a rhino survive. The poachers had not only stolen his horns — they had taken part of his skull. The wound left a permanent void in his face that can never be fully closed. Every attempt to attach coverings or grafts has failed — the immense power of a two-ton animal means anything artificial would be torn away, risking even greater harm.

And yet… Seha survived.

Year after year, against all odds, Seha continues to live, graze, and walk his land with quiet strength. His battle-scarred face tells a story not only of cruelty, but of resilience — a reminder that even in the darkest times, hope can endure.

Recently, our founder Dr. Johan returned to check on our gentle giant. His tracking collar was successfully replaced, ensuring we can continue to monitor and protect him. His old wound, though unhealed, has settled into the faded scar of a warrior. Seha’s survival is a symbol of defiance — a living reminder of why we fight to save every rhino we can.

But Seha’s story is not his alone. His survival was only possible because of the support of people like you. Your donations fund every treatment, every collar, every long night spent watching over injured rhinos and orphan calves. They make survival possible.

🦏 On this World Rhino Day, we ask you to stand with Seha — and with every survivor who still needs our help. Together, we can give mercy to these ancient souls. Together, we can ensure their tomorrow.

👉 Donate now by clicking the button on this page!

Thank you for standing with Seha, and with us. 💚

Gallery

MORE BUSH JOURNAL

World Elephant Day 2026
Elephant

World Elephant Day 2026

Protecting Africa’s Gentle Giants Today, on World Elephant Day, Saving the Survivors celebrates one of the most extraordinary and iconic animals to walk our planet — the elephant. Elephants have always held a very special place in the work of Saving the Survivors. Over the years, our veterinary teams have worked with countless elephants across … Continued

Technology Helping Pangolins Thrive in the Wild
Uncategorised

Technology Helping Pangolins Thrive in the Wild

Every successful wildlife release marks the beginning of a new chapter, but ensuring an animal continues to thrive in the wild requires ongoing monitoring. For species as vulnerable as the pangolin, every check-up provides invaluable insight into the success of their rehabilitation and release. Recently, the Saving The Survivors team returned to the field to … Continued

Strengthening the Future of White Rhinos Through Genetic Conservation
Southern White Rhino

Strengthening the Future of White Rhinos Through Genetic Conservation

Saving the Survivors, in partnership with the Veterinary Conservation Coalition (VCC), has successfully completed the translocation of several White rhino cows to a South African reserve where no new genetics had been introduced for more than 20 years. Although moving rhinos is a complex and carefully planned operation, this project was about much more than … Continued

Innocent Victim:
Southern White Rhino

Innocent Victim:

White Rhino Saved After Devastating Snare Injury Every snare tells a tragic story. Not because it catches the animal it was intended for, but because it so often catches those it was never meant to. This adult White rhinoceros cow became one of those innocent victims. When our veterinary team located her, she was suffering … Continued

Nature's Medicine at Work
Southern White Rhino

Nature's Medicine at Work

A Remarkable Rhino Recovery A few weeks ago, we shared the story of a Southern White Rhino mother suffering from a significant wound to her hindquarters, most likely caused by the horn of an overenthusiastic bull. At the time, the injury was extensive and vulnerable to infection. In the harsh conditions of the African bush, … Continued

Big Ben's Battle Scars:
Uncategorised

Big Ben's Battle Scars:

An Unusual Treatment for an Extraordinary Patient Life for a dominant bull rhino is rarely peaceful. For Big Ben, one of the area’s largest and most powerful white rhinos, a recent territorial dispute left him with a significant facial wound. Like many mature bulls, Big Ben regularly encounters rivals competing for territory, breeding rights, and … Continued

A Rhino, An Elephant and a Race Against Time
Elephant

A Rhino, An Elephant and a Race Against Time

At Saving the Survivors, no two wildlife interventions are ever the same. Recently, our veterinary team was called to assist a White Rhino cow suffering from a severely damaged horn. While injuries to horns can appear straightforward at first glance, they often require careful assessment and treatment to prevent complications and ensure the animal’s long-term … Continued

Monitoring One of Africa’s Most Vulnerable Predators
Cheetah

Monitoring One of Africa’s Most Vulnerable Predators

Saving the Survivors recently carried out an important conservation intervention involving an adult male cheetah living on a protected property where a coalition of males was successfully introduced by Saving the Survivors and the Veterinary Conservation Coalition in 2025. As part of our ongoing monitoring and conservation work, the cheetah was carefully immobilised by our … Continued

Hope Continues Her Frontline Mission Protecting Wildlife
Anti-poaching

Hope Continues Her Frontline Mission Protecting Wildlife

At Saving the Survivors, every success story is built on the support of people who believe wildlife is worth protecting. Hope, one of our anti-poaching K9s, is a perfect example of what that support can achieve. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Hope was purchased, trained, and deployed to help protect wildlife on the … Continued

A Mother’s Strength in the African Bush
Southern White Rhino

A Mother’s Strength in the African Bush

Out in the African bush, survival is never easy. Every day brings new challenges, and even the strongest animals can suffer painful injuries in the wild. Recently, the veterinary team from Saving the Survivors responded to help a Southern White Rhino cow found with a significant wound to her back leg, most likely caused by … Continued

Eight Years On:
Elephant

Eight Years On:

A Story of Strength, Survival, and Hope Eight years ago, a magnificent adult bull elephant suffered a fracture to his left front limb — an injury that could easily have marked the end of his journey. But this elephant endured. Recently, our Founder and Head Veterinarian, Dr Johan Marais, returned with the Saving the Survivors … Continued

Hope on the Frontline:
Anti-poaching

Hope on the Frontline:

A Protector Made Possible by You Deep in the bushveld, where the threat of poaching is ever-present, a highly trained protector moves silently alongside the rangers. Focused, disciplined, and relentless in her pursuit — this is Hope. Many of you will remember that Hope, our anti-poaching K9, was made possible entirely through your generosity. From … Continued