UK Knitting Group’s Blanket Aids Baby Rhino’s Recovery

In South Africa, a baby rhino is recuperating from injuries sustained during a hyena attack, comforted by a blanket crafted by a collective of North East nannas. Three-week-old Hercules endured multiple fractures, crush injuries, and several infected wounds from the incident, yet is anticipated to achieve a complete recovery. The knitted item, produced by the Knitting Nannas at Hazelgrove Court Care Home in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, located near Redcar, Teesside, traveled over 5,000 miles (8,046km) to a rhino sanctuary in Mpumalanga, the site of the orphan’s rescue. Betty Wood, a 100-year-old knitter originally from South Africa who relocated to the UK after World War Two, expressed feeling that she had “done something for my home country” through her involvement in the initiative, further remarking: “Hercules is so cute”. For several months, the women dedicated their time to knitting blankets for the charity Blankets for Baby Rhinos, with these items subsequently being donated to the Care For Wild Rhino Sanctuary in Barberton Nature Reserve. A photograph depicting the recovering calf was provided to the residents, and it now holds a prominent position within the care home. Sheila O’Neill, 83, stated that observing the “cute little fellow” beneath one of their blankets brought her great joy, and Joyce Wooffindin, also 83, commented: “To see Hercules wearing one of our blankets brought a tear to my eye.” Sharon Lewis, the activities co-ordinator, described the residents’ participation in the project as “wonderful.” She further noted: “It has been the icing on the cake getting a photo of Hercules being comforted by wearing one of our blankets.” Blankets for Baby Rhinos provides assistance to wildlife orphanages by furnishing them with knitted and crocheted garments and other articles. Additionally, this craftwork serves as a means to generate funds for purchasing equipment for these sanctuaries. Liz Conroy, a charity trustee, affirmed that the contributions from The Knitting Nannas significantly aided in the care and recuperation of orphaned rhinos, including Hercules, and expressed her wish for more individuals to join them “in protecting this critically endangered species”.