Rhino sanctuary

We spent a day at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary in Botswana and were lucky enough to spot the young one of a giraffe. The lighting was perfect and they just paused from their grazing to look at us.

Their gait looks majestic. Unlike other animals when they walk, both the left legs move forward and then both the right.

Spotted many Rhinos (some very close) and they did not mind us clicking away. Reminded me of the movie Hatari which I saw in the early sixties.

For those of you who are not familiar with the movie, here is the famous song Baby Elephant from the movie.
Once again we were lucky to spot a young Rhino who tried to keep pace with her mother.

The blue wildebeest is a herbivore, feeding primarily on short grass. It moves about in herds and is famous for the Masai Mara migration.

This Eland stood staring at us for some time (as if posing for us) and then simply turned and walked off. Elands are supposed to be the biggest in the antelope family.

Spotted an ostrich far away taking in the morning sunlight.

The warthog digging the ground for food. When feeding, they bend their front foot and it looks like they are on their knees.

The greater kudu, a warthog and a Rhino in perfect harmony.

Having his morning fill.

Kori Bustard is the largest flying bird native to Africa, in fact the male may be the heaviest living animal capable of flight. The male attempts to breed with as many females as possible and then takes no part in the raising of the young ones. I could just manage to capture him as he took off (as seen in the video)

The crimson breasted shrike kept hopping around and I could not get a good shot of her.

We waited at the watering hole where most of the birds came to quench their thirst. I could not keep track of all the birds so I just panned my camera slowly along the edge and captured as much as I could.

The Helmeted guineafowl seems to be the biggest bird coming for water. Here you see it with a go-away bird. Had written about the "Go away" bird in the previuos blog.

Below you see the guineafowl with a golden breasted bunting.

There were some ring necked doves among other birds

The Blacksmith Lapwing (plover) made a dash in front of our vehicle.

A pair of southern yellow billed hornbills were busy feeding and not allowing any other birds anywhere close.

Even through the thicket one can see his curious eyes

The approximate location of the sanctuary in Botswana.

Protecting the Rhinos

When someone talks of Rhinos, I am reminded of the movie Hatari which I saw when I was a kid. The movie and the tune ‘Baby ElephantWalk’ was a big hit in the early sixties. (Hatari means “Danger” in Swahili )

Who can forget the way Elsa Martinelli walks down with the three baby elephants to the river to have a bath. The movie deals with a group of people who catch Rhinos and sell them to the zoos.

The animals used in the shooting of the movie were live, wild and untrained, a procedure that is banned now as Rhinos are close to being extinct in many parts of the world.

Among the different  species of Rhinos, the Javan, Sumatran and the Indian Rhinos are found in Asia. Last year it was confirmed that the Javan Rhinos were extinct in Vietnam.

Right now there are only 29 of the Javan Rhinos surviving in Indonesia and researchers are working to save these 29 currently living in Ujon Kolong (Indonesia)

The reason for the dwindling figures of the Rhinos is the rampant poaching for its horn.

The demand for rhino horn comes principally from Asia, with the major destination appearing to be Vietnam. The  increasing  demand have been fueled by rumours of Rhino horn being a cure for cancer. It is also used as a recreational drug, such as ‘Rhino wine,’ to improve male sexual performance, and to treat hangovers.  If we can get rid of these misconceptions, then maybe the demand for the horn will drop, thereby saving the Rhinoceros from being extinct. To continue reading, click here