Yorkshire nans knit blanket for baby rhino 5,000 miles away after hyena attack
A group of knitting grandmas in a Yorkshire care home helped a baby rhino stay warm while he healed from a hyena attack.
Three-week-old rhino Hercules, from Mpumalanga, South Africa, was attacked by a pack of hyenas, leaving him with fractures, crush injuries and infected wounds.
He was transported to a specialist rhino hospital, and kept warm with the help of a blanket which was knitted with love and care 5,000 miles away.
Thanks to the ‘Knitting Nannas’ in a Saltburn-by-the-Sea care home in Teesside, Hercules will make a full recovery.
The baby rhino was photographed relaxing and recovering under a handmade blanket from the group of kind-hearted Yorkshire ladies.
One of the ‘Knitting Nannas’ is Betty Wood, 100, who was born and raised in Durban, South Africa. She moved to England with her late husband Ron after the second World War.
‘I feel by taking part in this project I have done something for my home country and Hercules is so cute,’ she said.
Joyce Wooffindin, 83, said: ‘I feel extremely proud that I have been part of this project and to see Hercules wearing one of our blankets brought a tear to my eye.’
Sheila O’Neill, 83, another member of the knitting group, said: ‘Seeing Hercules in one if our blankets has made my day. He is such a cute little fellow.’
The Knitting Nannas have been producing knitted blankets for wildlife charity Blankets For Baby Rhinos, which were then taken to South Africa by the charity’s trustee, Liz Conroy.
Liz said: ‘Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary is the largest orphaned rhinos sanctuary in the world. They specialise in the rescue, rehabilitation, rewilding and protection of orphaned and injured rhinos.
‘Blankets For Baby Rhinos was launched to support wildlife orphanages such as this by supplying them with knitted and crochet blankets and clothing. We also use our crafts to raise funds for our beneficiaries to supply much needed equipment and animal feed.’
The charity said they welcome knitters, crocheters and crafters to produce items they can donate to help the young animals.
She added: ‘Their donations are really helping with the care and recovery of orphaned baby rhinos in South Africa, including little Hercules, so we thank them for their support and hope others will be encouraged to join us in protecting this critically endangered species.’
Sharon Lewis, activities coordinator at Hazelgrove Court Care Home, said: ‘Our residents were delighted when Liz sent us a photo of Hercules wearing one of our blankets.
‘This little rhino calf has shown immense strength, endurance and determination and is on the way to recovery. It has been the icing on the cake getting a photo of Hercules being comforted by wearing one of our blankets.
‘It was wonderful for our residents to take part in this project and Hercules’ photo has taken pride of place in our home.’
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