The white rhino, Ceratotherium simum, is the second largest land animal. Females weigh 1,600 kilos and the males 2,400 kilos, roughly between 3,500 and 5,300 lbs. Black rhinos, Diceros bicornis, weigh between 850 and 1,600 kilos, or around 1,900 to 3,500 lbs.
Although a lot smaller, the black rhino is much more dangerous. The white rhino’s wide flat mouth is ideal for grazing, while the black rhino’s prehensile upper lip suits browsing on bushes and small trees.
The black rhino is one of the most unpredictable and irate animals in the African bush. They have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell and hearing. Their response to any intrusion is to charge. Rhinos are very agile and can make sharp turns at speed. They can run at 30 to 40 mph. That is close to between 50 to 65 km/hr. Rhinos are herbivores, but that has not prevented them from killing many humans.
I can appreciate the black rhinos’ better-safe-than-sorry approach, particularly in relation to poachers. Much debate surrounds the question of how to save the species from extinction.
The argument for de-horning rhinos is contentious. A de-horned population within a fenced property might be less appealing to poachers, but rhinos roaming in the wild or the national parks are still at risk. After tracking a de-horned rhino through the bush for hours, poachers have sometimes killed the rhino to avoid any repeat of the fruitless hunt. At other times, poachers have even killed rhinos to harvest the short stubs of remaining horn.
Until African governments get serious about protecting their wildlife, progress will be difficult. Too many people in powerful positions reap profits from poaching. This will continue until there’s a will to stop the extreme corruption at high levels of government, government departments, and the security services.
The black rhino. Not recommended for children under the age of fifteen.