A Fragile Beginning For Daisy
In early December, rangers on patrol in Kruger National Park, South Africa, came across a heartbreaking sight — a newborn rhino calf, barely hours old, lying weak and alone. The tiny calf, later named Daisy, had already endured more hardship in her first few hours of life than most animals do in a lifetime.
Without her mother by her side, Daisy stood no chance of surviving in the wild. Exhausted, underweight, and struggling to regulate her body temperature, she needed urgent intervention. Rangers acted quickly, airlifting her by helicopter to the Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary, one of the world’s leading rehabilitation centers for rhinos.
There, she was placed in the sanctuary’s intensive care unit, where a dedicated team provided round-the-clock monitoring. She received regular feedings, immune-boosting treatments, and specialized warming equipment to help stabilize her fragile body. Still, despite all the medical attention, Daisy faced an even deeper need — comfort and companionship.
Another Orphan In Need Of Care
Only a week before Daisy’s arrival, the sanctuary had taken in another vulnerable baby — a tiny zebra foal named Modjadji. Found motionless on the reserve after fierce storms, Modjadji was weak, dehydrated, and gasping for air. Rangers estimated she was just a week old when she was rescued.
Much like Daisy, Modjadji required emergency care. For days, she hovered between life and death, her small body fighting to recover from the trauma of being abandoned so early. Slowly, with careful feeding and a safe environment, the zebra foal began to regain her strength.
Though their species could not be more different, Daisy and Modjadji shared something powerful: both were orphans, both were fighters, and both desperately needed connection.
An Unlikely Friendship Blossoms
At first, Daisy and Modjadji occupied neighboring spaces in the sanctuary’s ICU. Caregivers kept their interactions minimal, focusing on their individual recoveries. But as days passed, the two little ones began showing curiosity about one another.
“When they were strong enough to stand, they started moving closer,” said Louwhen Bowker, a spokesperson for the sanctuary. “They would peek at each other, sniff curiously, and eventually, they just couldn’t resist interacting.”
It didn’t take long before the bond deepened into a true friendship. Daisy, who would normally rely on her mother for reassurance, began finding comfort in Modjadji’s presence. Meanwhile, Modjadji seemed to sense Daisy’s need and responded with quiet affection.
“They cuddle together at night, which gives Daisy comfort and security,” Bowker explained. “Modjadji has become her chosen family — a constant friend who can be with her 24/7.”
Their connection isn’t just heartwarming; it’s vital to Daisy’s development. Rhinos are highly social creatures, and prolonged isolation can affect their emotional well-being. With Modjadji by her side, Daisy has the companionship she needs to grow without becoming overly dependent on human caretakers.
Sisters By Choice, Not By Birth
Over time, Daisy and Modjadji have become inseparable. They spend their days exploring side by side, finding reassurance in each other’s company. Wherever Daisy goes, Modjadji follows closely, often pressing her small body against the rhino calf as if to remind her, You’re not alone anymore.
At night, the two curl up together, their breathing synchronized as they drift off to sleep. For Daisy, who once lay abandoned and trembling in the wild, the warmth of Modjadji’s body is the closest thing to a mother’s embrace.
Their caregivers watch with joy as the unlikely sisters thrive. Both are growing stronger, gaining weight, and showing playful personalities. Daisy has started to develop the confident behaviors typical of rhinos, while Modjadji trots around her like a protective little shadow.
The staff knows that one day, both animals will return to the wild — Daisy among rhinos, Modjadji among zebras. But until that day comes, their friendship will continue to be a lifeline.
The story of Daisy and Modjadji is more than just a sweet tale of two animals finding comfort in one another. It’s a reminder of the resilience of life and the importance of connection.
For the caregivers at Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary, watching the two thrive together reinforces why sanctuaries exist. They provide not only medical care but also the emotional support that orphaned animals so desperately need.
And for those who hear their story, Daisy and Modjadji stand as symbols of chosen family — proof that healing often comes from the most unexpected places.
Someday, Daisy will roam free with her own kind, and Modjadji will join a herd of zebras under the African sun. But no matter where life takes them, their early bond will remain a testament to the power of friendship and the way love, in its purest form, transcends species.
