Footage of a male black rhino charging at a vehicle at the Kruger National Park has been shared on Latest Sightings, a site solely about wildlife sightings in the Kruger.
Sam Vorster, a wildlife monitor, has had two close calls with black rhino charging towards his vehicle while in the Kruger National Park. Vorster told Latests Sightings that they were following a pack of wild dogs when they came across the black rhino.
‘We had just been out following a pack of wild dogs for the morning. We were on a bit of a buzz, having watched them make a kill! On our way home we found one of my favorite individuals of one of my favorite species – black rhino!,’ Forster said.
Vorster said it was not the first time they had spotted this particular male rhino, expressing that he had a likable personality.
‘This specific black rhino is one of my most favourite individual animals ever, because his personality was so evident. When you see the same animal frequently you get to know their behaviour. His was generally quite passive, although true to his species, he would sometimes mock charge us – as black rhinos are wont to do.’
Vorster noticed that the rhino wasn’t looking in good shape and edged the vehicle a bit closer to the animal, making sure not to startle him while keeping the excited passengers calm.
In the video, the rhino can be seen curiously walking towards the group before being startled by a sound from the vehicle and launching himself towards it in retaliation.
Although the rhino merely tapped the vehicle, Vorster says that his intentions were clear.
‘I expected him to be a bit less tolerant (hence the quiet soothing tones I am using in the video that make me sound like I’m trying to be the next Morgan Freeman). As he was coming towards us to investigate, one of the volunteers dropped their camera strap, which startled him. People are not good at listening to instructions to keep still… especially if they are holding a camera… He only left muddy lip prints on the vehicle – but his unspoken words were clear.’
Vorster decided it best to drive away when the rhino backed off from the vehicle before it could come back, saying that the rhino’s reaction to the vehicle surprised him.
‘It was common to see him, but it was the only time I’ve known him to make contact with a vehicle.’
The light tap was a warning sign, and Vorster has provided some advice for anyone who finds themselves in a close encounter with a rhino.
‘For anyone else that gets in close contact with a rhino like this, keep calm, keep everyone still. The reason he felt the need to tell us off is because someone moved.’
Sadly, sometime after the exciting encounter the spirited animal reportedly got into a fight, in which he was fatally injured. Vorster said that although the rhino’s passing is sad, it is ‘a great feeling knowing that he lived a long fruitful life.’
Picture: Pixabay
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