Face to Face with the White Rhino

I’m back from a week long road trip with our final destination being one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls. Between the park, which is based in Gweru, and Vic Falls which borders Zambia, Botswana and Namibia further west, we had planned overnight stays at two National Parks. The first, Matopas specializes in protecting the endangered black and especially white rhino.

Several years ago I remember attending an event at the Baltimore Zoo. It was a fundraiser not only for the zoo, but for the white rhino. It was at this event that I learned how poaching had put the white rhino on the endangered species list. They were being hunted and poached for their horns. Some cultures believe they contain healing ingredients. White rhinos are much larger than black rhino so this is the species that was seeing the greatest decline.

My new friends at Matopas National mean business when it comes to wildlife conservation. They don’t mess around. They make it very clear what can happen if you are caught pouching. Upon entering the park there is a large sign that reads “If you are caught or suspected of pouching, you may be shot”. Yeahoooo! I like these guys! I can hear my friends at Passport Health in Sacramento cheering with me as they read this!

Our guide Andy loved his rhino. He was not only owner of Black Rhino Tours; he was a member of the anti-pouching team. Andy reminded me a bit of Steve Erwin, The Crocodile Hunter. He was passionate about wildlife and would rather be nowhere else than in the bush. Thanks to Andy, I am a pooh specialist. I can now tell you the difference between white rhino and black rhino pooh. I can also tell the difference between rhino and elephant pooh. I can also point out giraffe pooh and tell you if it came from a male or a female. Are you impressed yet?

Andy had us pile into his safari truck. He sat in the passenger seat while his business partner drove. Not long after we passed through the main entrance, the truck came to a stop. We all looked around with wide eyes. Nothing. Andy got out of the truck, crouched low to the ground and examined the tracks he had spotted. Slowly he stood up and looked to the right. Our eyes followed. Nothing. He got back in the truck and motioned for the driver to go off to the right. Slowly we crept along. Once again, Andy jumps out and performs his same moves. Our eyes are glued to his every move. He then says, “Everyone out of the truck”. WHAT?? Andy has found some fresh tracks. The truck cannot make it through the trees to where the tracks lead so he wants us to follow them on foot. Andy reviews some safety precautions with the last one being “as long as you can out run the person next to you, you’ll be fine”. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry considering most of the people I’m with are half my age.

One by one we follow Andy in a line. After about a five minute walk, we spot them. Three male, white rhino. My heart is racing with excitement. Slowly, Andy leads us closer and closer. And then it hits me. I am standing 25 feet away from an animal that I not only attended a fundraiser for, but at one time was known to have less than 100 inheritance on this entire planet. The white rhino has been upgraded from “endangered species” to “near threaten”. They are magnificent.