The sheep who stole the world’s heart
Of all the animals roaming the 250km² Shamwari Private Game Reserve, the most famous isn’t one of the Big Five. It’s a sheep named Frank.
Frank became an international sensation when he was introduced as a companion to an orphaned baby white rhino at Shamwari’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. The calf, weak and failing to thrive, seemed to be struggling with loneliness. Shamwari’s wildlife veterinarian, Dr Johan Joubert, suspected isolation was the problem — and borrowed Frank from a neighbouring farm.
The impact was immediate. “The companionship aided the rhino’s recovery,” recalls Dr Joubert. The bond became so strong that when Frank was shorn in summer, the rhino initially didn’t recognise him and had to reacquaint itself with its now much smaller-looking friend.
Frank’s story — even captured in a touching short film — is a powerful symbol of the ingenuity and compassion that underpin Shamwari’s rehabilitation work.
Inside a wild animal hospital
Established 33 years ago, Shamwari’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre has grown from a modest enclosure into one of the largest operations of its kind in Africa. It now comprises three centres, with enclosures for species as diverse as elephants, rhinos, antelope, owls, and raptors. A fully equipped operating theatre and on-site veterinary facilities have made it a go-to centre of expertise.
Under the stewardship of Dr Joubert and ecologist John O’Brien, the centre has built an international reputation for pioneering conservation practices. “Shamwari’s wildlife rehabilitation operation has and continues to play a critical role in conservation,” says Shamwari CEO, Joe Cloete. “Our continent’s once-bountiful wildlife is under pressure as never before. Rehabilitation of sick, abandoned or injured wildlife is an important part of wildlife conservation, and the knowledge gained helps to support future efforts.”
Among its many breakthroughs:
- Two orphaned elephant calves were successfully raised and released back into a wild herd.
- Raptors relearned hunting through an “open-door” release system, where food is gradually reduced until birds regain independence.
- Meerkats repeatedly outsmarted staff with daring escape attempts, highlighting the meerkats’ intelligence and adaptability, even within a controlled environment like a game reserve’.
A haven for vultures
The centre’s most ambitious project came in 2024 with the launch of VulPro@Shamwari. In partnership with VulPro, 163 Cape and African White-backed vultures were relocated in the largest vulture transfer ever undertaken.
The facility includes nine custom enclosures — from an artificial cliff for breeding Cape Vultures to a pre-release enclosure perched high on the reserve. The most recent arrivals include two critically endangered Egyptian Vultures, brought in with help from the World Bird Sanctuary and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. With fewer than 20,000 left worldwide, their survival may depend on projects like this.
From Shamwari Untamed to the world
Shamwari’s pioneering work has been showcased globally in ‘Shamwari Untamed‘, the 13-part Netflix series capturing the daily triumphs and challenges of conservation on the ground. From rescuing orphaned rhinos to capturing elusive hippos, the series gives the world a raw look at what goes into preserving Africa’s wildlife.
Much like My Octopus Teacher, ‘Shamwari Untamed‘ has amplified South Africa’s conservation story to global audiences — proving that passion, science, and heart work hand in hand.
Why Frank Still Matters
For all the advanced veterinary care, global collaborations, and anti-poaching measures, it is Frank the sheep who continues to capture hearts. His unlikely friendship with a vulnerable rhino calf shows that sometimes the simplest gestures — a companion to share the journey — can make the biggest difference.
Frank is more than just a conservation celebrity; he is a reminder that the fight to protect South Africa’s wildlife depends on both innovation and compassion. And in that balance lies the true spirit of Shamwari.
