Unlikely Friendship: Orphaned Baby Rhino and Zebra Become Best Friends at South Africa Animal Park

• Two orphaned baby animals; a rhino and zebra have developed an unlikely friendship that animal experts believe is due to grief
• The duo was rescued by an animal park in South Africa and formed the bond while recuperating at an ICU
• Zebra Modjadji has been credited with helping seven-month-old rhino Daisy recover by constantly cuddling her

A rhino and zebra have become best friends at an animal park in South Africa after the two orphans were rescued in the wild.

Seven-month-old rhino Daisy and zebra Modjadji were picked after losing their parents and raised by the Care For Wild animal sanctuary in the Barberton Nature Reserve.

United by the ICU

Daily Mail reports that Daisy and Modjadji, whose name means "rain queen" struck a friendship shortly after meeting and have kept growing closer every day.

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Since the pair became inseparable, the animal sanctuary has been sharing daily updates about the unlikely friendship on Instagram.

The two were often photographed cuddling from the days they were being treated, to now when they can walk and have dinner together.

"This little orphan zebra has been a life saver, always there for her rhino friend," read a statement from the sanctuary.

Modjadji was saved by blood transfusion

It was concluded that Modjadji's love and cuddles have gone a long way in reviving little Daisy who was rescued while in a bad shape.

The sanctuary also clarified that despite helping the young rhino, Modjadji is still a baby herself who was found alone and barely alive after heavy rains and storms.

"Just over eight weeks old, she is also drinking milk every three hours around the clock," the statement continued.

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Medics at the facility indicate that Modjadji was "extremely compromised and with severe anaemia," adding that she had to receive a blood transfusion from another zebra to survive.

Sharing love, and hope

Given that the baby zebra is now a lot stronger, she watches over the little rhino orphan who is still recovering.

Daisy was rescued when she was just 12 hours old, wet from the womb, and still had her umbilical cord attached.

At the time of being rescued, she was unable to stand, had a 'nasty umbilical infection' and was extremely weak and vulnerable.

Her survival is attributed to a plasma transfusion she received to boost her immune system as well as the intensive round-the-clock care.

Pair will be separated someday

Perhaps, the heartbreaking bit about the inspiring story is that despite being close, the two will at some point have to be separated.

This is due to the fact that the sanctuary's long term goal is "a successful release back into their natural ecosystems with their own species."

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"Whilst Daisy will eventually join the other orphaned rhinos and Modjadji will return to a herd of zebras, their unique friendship will always be a vital part of their rehabilitation journey," the sanctuary said.

Mzansi reacts to viral video of ostrich running in the fast lane dodging traffic on South African highway

Briefly News previously reported that a video of an ostrich that got lost found itself running next to a highway in South African highway.

A video of an ostrich running alongside a South African highway has gone viral. The clip was posted by @GillianYoungBe1 and has been viewed over 50 000 times.

It shows the scared animal running in the centre island and then stopping. The video lasts less than 30 seconds, and according to the person who posted the clip, animal helpers assisted the bird.

Source: TUKO.co.ke