Thandi, the Sunshine Coast rhino who made world headlines when she survived having her horn hacked off by poachers three years ago, has given birth to a healthy calf.
The pair were given the thumbs up by wildlife vet Will Fowlds. He gave them a health check at Kariega private game reserve, in Eastern Cape, on Tuesday morning.
"I am sure that the whole rhino-caring community will share in the joy of this amazing birth," Fowlds said.
Thandi became the mutilated face of global efforts against rhino poaching after she somehow survived the March 2012 attack that left two males dead.
The maimed white rhino's life became intertwined with that of Fowlds when he led the team that saved her.
Over the years he has been involved in several follow-up operations - including ground-breaking skin-graft surgery - to ensure her survival.
"Her survival has already given us inspiration but the birth of her calf brings a new dimension of hope to the crisis, showing us that a future generation of life is possible if we put our minds and hearts into it," he said.
The Kariega reserve said figures compiled by the Department of Environmental Affairs pointed to a "dramatic escalation" in the number of rhinos being killed, 3569 in the past five years.
Reserve general manager Alan Weyer said the area in which the calf was born had been declared off-limits to all visitors.
"It is of utmost importance that both rhino are left undisturbed to ensure that the calf has the best chance of survival."
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