Funding in Action: Grazing Paddock Expansion for Lazula and Bheji at Zululand Rhino Orphanage

Funding in Action: Grazing Paddock Expansion for Lazula and Bheji at Zululand Rhino Orphanage

June 2025 | GCF Project Update

 

We’re excited to share a powerful update on the real-world impact of the Saving Baby Rhinos fundraiser, held on April 24th, 2025. Thanks to the unwavering support of our donors, attendees, and sponsors, we raised a total of $17,885.17 to support the life-saving work of our partners at Zululand Conservation Trust (ZCT) and Zululand Rhino Orphanage (ZRO).

This funding is already being used on the ground — and the progress is inspiring.

 

Where the Funds Went

 

The entire amount raised is being directed toward a critical paddock expansion and infrastructure upgrade at Zululand Rhino Orphanage. These enhancements are designed to improve the quality of care, safety, and natural behavior development for two rhinos with very different — but equally important — needs:

 

Lazula – The Blind White Rhino

 

Lazula is a gentle and resilient White rhino who was orphaned and later discovered to be mostly blind. Her condition requires carefully designed enclosures with defined boundaries, secure fencing, and structured pathways to help her safely explore and navigate her space. The paddock upgrades will significantly improve her quality of life, offering more space while maintaining safety and security.

Bheji – The Young Black Rhino Calf

 

Bheji is an energetic and rapidly growing Black rhino calf currently in the early stages of rehabilitation. Black rhinos are browsers, and their care requires more naturalistic and enriched environments. The expanded paddocks provide additional space to roam, browse, and build strength, supporting his development and eventual rewilding prospects.

 

What’s Included in the Expansion

  • Fortified perimeter fencing for enhanced security and containment

  • Increased paddock size to support natural grazing and browsing behaviors

  • Improved access points for caregivers, vets, and monitoring

  • Zoning and layout adaptations for animals with special needs, like Lazula

These upgrades not only improve the day-to-day welfare of Lazula and Bheji but also strengthen ZRO’s long-term capacity to take in, rehabilitate, and prepare orphaned rhinos for the next stages in their lives — whether that be lifelong care or release into protected areas.

Your Impact in Action

 

This is more than a facility update — it’s a symbol of what’s possible when conservation and community come together. The funds raised at Saving Baby Rhinos are now creating a lasting legacy, supporting hands-on care and rehabilitation of two individuals who represent the future of their species.

 

Want to see the event that made this possible?


Watch our Saving Baby Rhinos recap video and get a behind-the-scenes look at how this powerful night translated into real-world impact.

From all of us at Global Conservation Force, and on behalf of our field partners at Zululand Rhino Orphanage and Zululand Conservation Trust, thank you for your commitment to protecting Africa’s rhinos. Your generosity is transforming lives — one rhino at a time.