RESCUED RHINO ESME, MEETS HER NEW FRIEND, MILLIE, THE PEDI LAMB.

Esme, a rescued rhino at HESC, meets Mille the Lamb
Esme the Rhino, is introduced to Millie the Lamb.

There has been a new and very sweet personality gracing our centre in recent weeks, and we thought it is time that we introduce you to her.
We are pleased to introduce you to MILLIE! 
Millie in the arms of Linri
Mille in the arms of head curator, Linri, as she arrives at HESC

Millie is a Thaba Manzi Pedi Lamb, much like Lammie, whom many have grown to love and adore over the past four years. We decided to bring another lamb to HESC, to be a companion to Esme, a young, rescued rhino in our care.
These pedi sheep have a wonderfully maternal instinct, and are very protective and caring towards those that they form close bonds with. In essence, they become like a surrogate mother. Over the years we have seen great success in encouraging bonds between some of the orphaned animals in our care, and this breed of sheep.
Millie arrives at HESC
Millie, the day she arrived at HESC.

For the past month, Millie has been in the care of Linri, our head curator at HESC. She stayed in her home, specifically in her bedroom, to settle, relax and start getting to used to people around her slowly, in a pace that Linri could monitor she was comfortable with.
Eventually Linri decided it was time to bring Millie with her to the centre during office hours, and thought the best and safest place for her, would be in the yard where Bokkie Bok and Maroela stay. Millie and Bokkie Bok (a grey duiker),  bonded nicely, and her presence calmed the little lamb, who followed her around wherever she went.
Millie the lame meets Bokkie Bok the Duiker
Mille being introduced to Bokkie Bok for the first time

It was time for Millie to meet her new, and very large friend, Esme, a young rhino that has been in our care since October 2017. Linri took her into Esme’s boma, into the room where Esme sleeps, and kept Millie safely on her lap for the big introduction.
Esme the rhino approaches Millie the Pedi Lamb
Esme approaches Linri and Millie slowly, and sniffs away

Millie is of course a little nervous of the sheer size of Esme, but is slowly starting to get used to her, and trust her. We have introduced them three times now, as we take small steps that Millie is comfortable with.
We will soon start bringing Millie into Esme’s boma for 2 hours a day, where she will eat her food there, and gradually have longer periods of time, until they are happy to be in each others company full time.
Don’t worry, David the Dog, will be joining them too!  He is currently resting again, until his hurt paw heals properly, as he just can’t keep still when he is around Esme and does not give it a chance to heal. So we are sure he will be delighted to have another friend to spend time with too.
We will keep you updated on their progress!
WE ARE IN URGENT NEED OF SUPPORT OR DONATIONS TOWARDS THE EVERY DAY COSTS OF ESME, TO FIND OUT MORE PLEASE CLICK HERE or email: funding@cheetahcentre.co.za