BLACK RHINO – GRUMPY BUT GREAT
When thinking about a Black Rhino, Diceros bicornis, a charging, snorting and angry looking animal comes to
mind. That picture is not far from the truth, but then there is always more to the truth that meets the eye.Covered
in a grey tough skin the Black Rhino reminds one of a tank, and it must surely be
seen as the tank of the animal kingdom. The black rhino is not a herd animal. A cow and calf will stay together for
more than a year, and that is about the biggest of a herd you will see. Briefly if a bull joins this group, the
herd will number three, but that is usually very short lived.
Contact us today to arrange your Namibia safari where you will have the chance to see these animals in the
wild.
Namibia has a very healthy black rhino population. This is mainly due to immense Conservation efforts that took
place after 1980. Before that the black rhino were nearly driven to extinction in several parts of Namibia. Being a
browser, black rhino needs areas where there is sufficient vegetation in the form of bushes in the area. This means
that these animals are mainly seen in Central and north Namibia. Walking from bush to bush they will take a couple
of bites and then move on to other bushes in the area. They mainly choose the greenest and freshest shoots that are
available. Black rhino are dependant on water, and must have water at least every third day, if available.
Survival of black rhino in the wild is mainly attributal to the fact that it is very, very aggressive. Black rhino
do not have very good eyesight. To make up for this short sightedness, it has an excellent sense of smell and
hearing. Added to this is natural aggression. When provoked or disturbed, a black rhino will charge at anything,
from another animal to vehicles. It does not show fear, but is truly a fearsome sight when charging. Sense of
smell, very good hearing, natural aggression and the way a full charging black rhino can turn on a coin, makes this
beast very dangerous in the wild. It will charge through bushes, over small trees or over anything that stands in
its way. This impression you get of the black rhino created the idea that Black rhino are the grumpiest of beasts
in the animal kingdom.
If undisturbed, black rhino will be calm and can be easily observed. In places like Etosha, black rhino are used to
cars and people, so not easily disturbed. It makes for the ideal photo opportunities. The waterhole in Okakeujo is
one such place, where black rhino are regularly seen during the night. In places like Damaraland, where they still
roam huge areas, this is not the case. Black rhino are much scarcer in this area and not used to human presence at
all. To observe, or even find black rhino in such an area, use local guides, otherwise your search will be never
ending.
Black rhino, grumpy but such special animals.
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