Last of a species for the future of another

With UD saying goodbye to its long-standing UD41 range of medium commercial vehicles at the end of 2014, the company announced that the very last model to be produced – a UD40 – has been officially handed over to The Rhino Orphanage in Limpopo, as part an effort to conserve and protect baby rhinos. 

The truck has been designed as a bush ambulance to transport these very fragile, and often seriously hurt, baby rhinos to a place of safety. Suitably camouflaged, it will be able to move up to three baby rhinos at a time. It is also fitted with a range of veterinary equipment so that the rhinos can be cared for by a dedicated vet.   

“Seeing that the legendary U41 range is now extinct, so to speak, we wanted to help The Rhino Orphanage in a very practical way to prevent a living legend, the rhino, from becoming extinct as well,” says Rory Schulz, MD of UD Trucks Southern Africa. “We believe the ‘ultimately dependable’ UD40 will support The Rhino Orphanage’s efforts to protect rhinos for generations to come.”

The Rhino Orphanage is based in the Limpopo Province. It was founded by Arrie van Deventer in 2012 and is a registered non-profit company. The orphanage is the first specialist, dedicated, non-commercial centre that cares for orphaned or injured baby rhinos. Its aim is to eventually release them back into the wild.

“This donated UD40 is greatly valued and will go a long way in supporting our activities to save baby rhinos from certain death,” says Van Deventer. “Thank you to everyone at UD Trucks who played a part in assembling and donating this very special vehicle.”