ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS: RHINO REVELATIONS
Caution: Some readers may find distressing.
Photo Credit: (c) T J Allen Art
Rhino Revelations
Experiencing a safari game drive creates a whirlwind of emotions; from anticipation and excitement to longing and perhaps a tinge of disappointment if you’ve not yet come across your favourite animal.
Safari epitomises the ‘Law of Polarity’, stating that everything has an opposite; positive vs negative, happiness vs sadness, life vs death. My first sighting of a rhino was just that.
The Law of Polarity
It happened on my first safari in 2013 during my third evening game drive. Heavy rain a few days prior meant one area of the reserve had been avoided whilst the ground firmed up for the jeeps to traverse more easily. The day’s sunshine had done a pretty good job of blazing through, making the location safe again to drive on without fear of getting stuck. Our ranger, Johannes, navigated along the bush tracks, splashing through the last remaining soggy and muddy areas to explore. Up to this point, the other couple of guests and I had enjoyed the privilege of seeing a great number of different prey animals including impala, zebra and kudu.
But it was here, as we entered the unexplored bushveld that the smiles melted from our faces and I knew that I would remember this moment for the rest of my life.
In a small patch of open clearing, was the true meaning of polarity.
Shocking Reality: Life versus Death
The delight in seeing a pack of rare wild dogs for the first time ever and observing them on a kill was quickly diminished in the shocking realisation that the corpse was the result of human hands. Yes, a victim of rhino poaching.
A statement from my diary reads:
‘21 Jan 2013 …. we stumbled upon a dead rhino shot by poachers. Horrific to see, such a waste. They didn’t even get the horn. Very sad experience but I’m glad I saw it.’
The female rhino was on her side, four legs sticking out rigidly like a plastic toy that had been pushed over. The wild dogs were tearing at the skin from a large opening they had created at the back of her neck. It took a while for the enormity of what I was witnessing to sink in. The prehistoric, solid mass of power and strength in life, tragically reduced to a lump of meat in death.
Reality Knocks
We sat in the vehicle while the Parks Board, security and anti-poaching units were radioed. Once Johannes had given his witness statement and the wild dogs had moved off we were asked if we wanted to step out of the vehicle and have a closer look. Whilst this may sound morbid, I felt it was a significant and important event that I had to acknowledge.
A sombre moment to mourn the life and loss of such a magnificent creature.
Standing in front of her prone body highlighted her vast size and I found it hard to fathom how a tiny bullet could fell such a mammoth bulk of muscle. The fragility of life was all too apparent.
The Difficult Truth
Like so many others, this rhino’s life was taken for the irresponsible and unfounded desire of humans. Certain Far Eastern cultures believe rhino horn has medicinal properties with theories ranging from the ability to cure cancer to being an aphrodisiac. Made from keratin, the horn is actually the same substance as our fingernails and studies have proved that the ancient cultural beliefs have no scientific proof.
It transpires the poachers who shot our rhino made a really bad aim. She was hit near the top of her front leg which sent her thundering off into the bush in terror and pain. The off-target bullet gave her a quick exit meaning the poachers lost track of her but unfortunately the damage was done. Not only had their actions lead to a prolonged and distressing death, but the intact horn meant the whole scenario was completely for nothing.
Simply heart-breaking.
Future Reality: Death versus Life
Whilst this safari story is tough to recall and no doubt difficult to read, it is imperative that it is brought to life. It is only through education and awareness that we can do something to put a stop to poaching. Rhinos should be free to live in the wild where they belong for many future generations to come.
Whilst my first wild rhino memory sticks with me for all the wrong reasons, it meant my second sighting was bittersweet. The very next morning we came across a mother rhino and her youngster, alive and well. With the previous day’s visions still in my head, it was poignant to see these two incredible specimens of nature breathing life into the world.
Photo Credit: (c) T J Allen Art