Rhino reconnaissance

It is work day 2 and I’m still getting my feet wet with the projects I am working on. One of my small projects might be creating a pocket guide catalogue of the 65 black rhinos on the Lewa Conservancy for the rangers to cross reference for population monitoring.

In short, rhinos are endangered worldwide and Kenya has a long term vision of having 2000 black rhinos – the current number sits around 600 in the country. Lewa has a carrying capacity of about 70 black rhinos. White rhinos, also endangered, aren’t much of a focus on Lewa since they are an introduced species here.

Nature has an interesting way of balancing herself though, the vet, Matthew, today reported a black rhino dying in his presence of colic complications. He was distraught as he was recounting that he could not help the young sick rhino. Last Friday though, a newborn rhino was reported by one of the field monitors. It will be awhile before anyone can approach the mother and calf to check the newborn’s condition.

Doing rhino reconnaissance work involves heading out with the security guys to take photos left, right, and centre. Each rhino is given a unique ear notching pattern for easy and quick identification. And so Kate and I headed off with two rangers into the field, and picked up another ranger along the way.

Getting close enough to rhinos involves….well….challenges. A true off-roading experience in tall grasses can offer many surprises. And what is a true off-roading experience if you don’t get your vehicle stuck?! Twice!!!!!!!



And what is a true off-roading experience in Africa if you don’t get stuck between a herd of buffalo (dangerous animals as they can be aggressive when scared) and rhinos (can be unpredictable)?! Both times we were stuck involved calling in for assistance to pull us out.



As it happens, what better way to scope out the surrounding landscape when waiting for help to arrive. We watched the nearby herd of buffalo approach a water hole. Then we watched as this herd seemed to be scared off by something in the water. What could scare off a large herd of buffalo?

A quick glance and later drive by the water hole revealed an unexpected sight………….HIPPOS!!!!!