Saltburn knitting group supports baby rhino’s recovery after life-threatening hyena attack

A BABY rhino has been recovering from a life-threatening hyena attack with the support of a North Yorkshire care home knitting group called The Knitting Nannas.

The orphaned three-week old calf, called Hercules, suffered multiple fractures, crush injuries, and several infected wounds following the vicious attack in South Africa.

However, the young rhino found comfort during his recovery with a blanket made over 5,000 miles away, in North Yorkshire.

The young rhino is now on his way to full health at the Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary, in the greater Barberton Nature Reserve, in Mpumalanga, in the north east of the country.

The sanctuary has been the recipient of several hand-knitted blankets produced by The Knitting Nannas, a knitting group at Hazelgrove Court Care Home, on Randolph Street, Saltburn-by-the-Sea.

The group’s members have been producing the blankets for several months for charity Blankets For Baby Rhinos.

They were then taken to South Africa by the charity’s trustee Liz Conroy, who showed the elderly residents photos and videos of the baby rhinos who would benefit from their donations.

Joyce Wooffindin, 83, is one of The Knitting Nannas. She 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.”

Fellow resident Betty Wood, 100, was born and raised in Durban, South Africa, before moving to England with her late husband, Ron, after the end of the Second World War, in 1945. She said: “I feel by taking part in this project I have done something for my home country and Hercules is so cute.”

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.”

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.

“After being attacked by hyenas at just three-weeks-old, little Hercules was left fighting for his life, but 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.”

Liz Conroy, from Blankets For Baby Rhinos, 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.

“We welcome knitters, crocheters and crafters to produce items that we can use as donations and The Knitting Nannas from Hazelgrove Court Care Home were kind enough to get involved.

“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.”