A miracle baby rhino which survived a horrific attack by poachers on its pregnant mother is so happy it smiles.

Jacques Matthysen captured the cheerful calf on camera at the Kariega Game Reserve, east of Port Elizabeth in South Africa.

Its mother was pregnant when vile poachers chopped off her horn and left her to die.

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Lucky to be alive: This baby rhino is enjoying life in South Africa after its mother was attacked by poachers

Survivors: The baby rhino is pictured with its mother, whose horn was torn from her head in the brutal attack

She survived the attack and her baby's relief is written all over its face.

The mother and her baby were photographed by South African photographer Mr Matthysen, 37, who works at the reserve, following the attack.

The country has the biggest population of rhinos in the world, but poaching of these majestic animals has reached crisis point, according to Save the Rhino.

The charity claims rhino deaths could overtake births between 2016 and 2018 if the killing continues at this rate.

Jumping for joy: The calf was pictured in Kariega Game Reserve, east of Port Elizabeth in South Africa

Crisis point: The deaths of rhinos could overtake the births of these majestic animals between 2016 and 2018

In 2014, 1,215 rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa alone - one every eight hours - mainly driven by the illegal trade in rhino horn.

It is used in some Asian countries in medicine and the high price fetched has led to criminals using high-tech equipment to track down and kill the animals.