Restoring and preserving the environment has a positive impact on the people, the wildlife and the land. When this orphaned black rhino was rescued he was so tiny the staff at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary could carry him in their arms. He thrived under the care of his dedicated keepers and is now released back into the wild under the protection of community members.

To witness an elephant in the wild is thrilling. To witness a giraffe in the wild is enchanting. To witness a rhino in the wild is to be catapulted back to prehistoric times.

If you come across a herd of Cape Buffalo on a game drive, you will usually see red or yellow-billed oxpeckers perched their bodies. The birds provide a valuable service - they eat insects and ticks. The symbiotic relationship between the oxpecker and the hooved host is known as mutualism.

This week, I wrote a short children’s storybook about some of my favourite African animal mothers and babies in honour of Mother’s Day. I am grateful to Haya (3) and Mara (6) and their mothers who gave me valuable feedback about which images they preferred. I wrote this book with them in mind.

When our grandson adopted a rhino for his birthday he explained his choice because “they have a really cool way to poop!” He’s absolutely right, they do. A male rhino poops in one spot creating big pile of dung, known as a midden. This marks his territory and acts as a warning to those who might trespass.

I believe animals can teach us a lot about love and compassion. As a trauma therapist I heard many stories about how family pets or farm animals were the companions who provided love and solace in situations of domestic violence or abuse. The emotional support from an animal to a human and human to animal can heal deep wounds of separation, abandonment and trauma.