Making Milk for a Rhino Calf

Baby rhino milk is prepared to a feeding plan unique to each calf. At Care for Wild, orphaned calves drink approximately 16 to 18 litres of milk a day. Very young calves are fed every two hours, day and night, and the plan changes with the calf’s age, weight and condition.

For a rhino orphan, milk is an essential part of growth and development. In the wild, rhino calves generally drink their mother’s milk until around 16 to 20 months old. However, observations made by Care for Wild’s rhino monitors, who observe rewilded rhino mothers and their calves, have shown that there can be considerable variation.

Much depends on the mother and whether she has another calf. If she does not, some cheeky youngsters will continue drinking for as long as they can, until they become too big or it simply becomes too uncomfortable for their mother to feed them.

For rescued rhino orphans, providing the correct nutrition is essential. Without their mothers, their milk and feeding requirements need to be carefully managed to support healthy growth and development.

Every calf has its own feeding plan

There is no single feeding plan for every rhino calf. Very young calves are fed every two hours throughout the day and night. As they grow and become stronger, the intervals between feeds gradually increase to three hours, with night feeds eventually reduced.

Rhino calves drink approximately 16 to 18 litres of milk a day, divided between their feeds. A calf between around 4-16 months old will typically average around 16 litres a day, usually across five feeds of approximately 3-4 litres each.

But these are guidelines. Every calf is different, and its milk requirements are influenced by its age, weight, growth and individual condition. Regular weighing is therefore an important part of their care, allowing the team to monitor development and adjust the feeding plan when needed.

Each calf has their own feeding information and program recorded in their files.

Preparing the perfect bottle of rhino milk

There is a surprising amount of precision behind a bottle of milk. The details matter. With young rhinos, consistency and hygiene are essential.

The milk powder is carefully weighed according to the calf’s feeding plan, with additional supplements added where required. These vary between individuals but can often include probiotics.

Water is then added and everything is whisked together before the milk is poured into the bottle and a specialised rhino teat is attached. Milk is warmed to 36-37°C to mimic body temperature.

Rhino calves have an incredibly strong suckling action, so their bottles have an air hole. This allows air to flow back into the bottle as the calf drinks, preventing the bottle from collapsing under the suction and helping to reduce the amount of air swallowed.

Once the bottle reaches the calf, it does not take long to disappear! Rhino calves are enthusiastic drinkers. In fact, considerably more time goes into preparing the bottle than it does into drinking it!

Bottles, teats and all feeding equipment are thoroughly washed and sterilised after every use. The careful preparation means that every feed is made according to the calf’s individual requirements, regardless of which caregiver is preparing it.

Milk preparation is an important part of specialist rhino care. It is not simply a matter of mixing milk powder and filling a bottle, but a carefully managed nutritional programme that evolves as each calf grows, ensuring they receive the nutrition they need for healthy growth and development.

Frequently asked questions about baby rhino milk

How much milk does a baby rhino drink?
Rhino calves drink approximately 16 to 18 litres of milk a day, divided between feeds. A calf between around 4 and 16 months old typically averages around 16 litres a day, usually across five feeds of about 3 to 4 litres each.

How often are orphaned rhino calves fed?
Very young calves are fed every two hours throughout the day and night. As they grow stronger, the gap between feeds increases to three hours and night feeds are eventually reduced. Each calf has its own feeding plan, adjusted through regular weighing.

How long do rhino calves drink their mother’s milk?
In the wild, calves generally drink their mother’s milk until around 16 to 20 months old, though Care for Wild’s rhino monitors have seen considerable variation. Much depends on the mother and whether she has another calf.

Why do rhino calf bottles have an air hole?
Rhino calves have an incredibly strong suckling action. The air hole lets air flow back into the bottle as the calf drinks, which stops the bottle collapsing under the suction and reduces the air swallowed.

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