Tag: Rhinoceros

Orphaned rhino calf responds to new situation with ‘happy jump’

The young rhinoceros appeared to be reacting to cooler weather after a morning walk with handlers.

The Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary on Friday shared video footage showing an orphaned black rhino calf expressing herself with a “happy jump” performed in front of observers.

Black rhinos are critically endangered and the female calf, named RiRi, is undergoing rehabilitation as part of a “rewilding” process.

The footage was captured after a feeding session as temperatures dropped at the facility in South Africa.

Care for Wild stated via Instagram: “The goal of successful rehabilitation is to prepare a rhino orphan for rewilding and release back into their natural habitat so encouraging natural eating and browsing behaviors is very important.

“But the cooler weather has made RiRi particularly playful and so full of energy. Check out her gloriously happy jump at the end!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DE7T6H9IYDV/

Black rhinos have been decimated by poachers over the years, but they’re slowly coming back thanks to conservation efforts. Their numbers plummeted from 65,000 to only 2,300 animals between 1970 and 1993.

According to the International Rhino Foundation, black rhinos now inhabit 12 countries in Africa, numbering an estimated 6,421 animals.

Celebrate World Rhino Day with these 5 cool rhino facts

It’s the rhino’s time to shine.

September 22 is World Rhino Day! This holiday not only recognizes just how incredible these animals are but also advocates for their conservation.

According to Dr. Jo Shaw, CEO of Save the Rhino International, “On World Rhino Day it is important to reflect on the successes and challenges of rhino conservation globally.” Some of the recent rhino conservation successes include an increase in global rhino numbers. At the end of 2022, the world rhino population reached 27,000.

Still, there is more work to be done to save threatened rhino species. Learn more about these creatures and how you can help them with the list of rhino facts below.

Watch: Brave lion swats massive rhino’s tail, as if on a dare

In what was described as a “most phenomenal encounter,” amused tourists witnessed a playful lion mustering the courage to swat the tail of a massive white rhino.

In what was described as a “most phenomenal encounter,” amused tourists witnessed a playful lion mustering the courage to swat the tail of a massive white rhino.

The accompanying footage, captured last week at Mongena Private Game Lodge in South Africa, shows young lions of the Nkawu pride circling two rhinos grazing in a meadow.

“The youngsters were so intrigued by these enormous animals that the one ended up fly-swatting the tail of one of the rhinos,” the lodge stated on Facebook.

One viewer observed: “I love how he stretches the hand and only touches the rhino, then runs.”

To which the lodge responded, “Possibly dared by the others?”

In the footage, the lions are, indeed, wary in the company of such powerful and unpredictable beasts. But at the 30-second mark one lion inches close enough to tap a rhino’s tail with its paw.

Both rhinos turned to face the startled lions, and that signaled the end of the game.

The Mongena Private Game Lodge bills itself as a Big 5 lodge, in reference to iconic animals known to roam within its boundaries: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo.

–Image courtesy of Mongena Private Game Reserve

The Tampa Zoo introduces ‘Baby Gronk’

There is another Gronk in Tampa and you don’t want to get in his way, either.

Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski are bringing their joy to Tampa Bay. And it isn’t only on the field.

The Tampa Zoo has gotten in on the action, naming a baby rhino after the fabulous and cuddly tight end — just ask Gronk himself.

Gronk the rhino has all the qualities that endear the human Gronk to so many. Just ask the Gronk that can speak for himself.