If you’ve read other blog entries, you’ll have seen that we love talking about the animals you can find in the different destinations where Cooperating Volunteers works, whether on a safari, snorkeling, or in the jungle…
Some time ago, we talked about the black rhinoceros, and today we’ll talk about another majestic animal, the white rhinoceros, which has many differences from the former.
The white rhinoceros, known as the “Gentle Giant of Africa,” is a mammal that can weigh between 1,800 and 2,500 kg, and in the case of some males, up to 3,000 kg. They measure between 1.5 and 1.8 meters in height, and up to 4 meters in length, with a life expectancy of about 40 to 50 years in the wild.
They inhabit the savannas and grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa, especially in South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, and prefer open areas with good availability of water and grass.
If you’re going to live your volunteer experience in Kenya, for example, you might be lucky enough to see them in various National Parks:
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy: Located near Mount Kenya, in Laikipia, and considered one of the best places to see them, as it is home to the largest population of both white and black rhinos in the country. The last two northern white rhino females live here, and you can enjoy seeing them through day and night safaris, walks, and educational centers.
- Lake Nakuru National Park: Located in the Rift Valley and famous for its flamingos and also for its white rhino sanctuary, although both species can be found there. It is very well located from Nairobi.
- Solio Game Reserve: Between Aberdare National Park and Mount Kenya, it is a private reserve, but one of the pioneering reserves in white rhino conservation in Africa. Less crowded than other parks, ideal for a quiet safari.
- Lewa Wildlife Conservancy: Located in the Isiolo region, north of Mount Kenya, it is also a prestigious private reserve and develops sustainable tourism and community conservation programs.
- Nairobi National Park: Just 7 km from downtown Nairobi, it offers the opportunity to spot these animals with the city skyline in the background, and although it is smaller than other parks, it is accessible and perfect for a quick visit.
Many of these places have armed guards and 24/7 surveillance to protect rhinos from poaching. The focus in Kenya is active conservation, combining sustainable tourism with scientific efforts.
Continuing with some characteristics of this majestic animal, its diet is herbivorous, specifically grazing, as it feeds mainly on short grasses. Its wide, square-shaped mouth is adapted for grazing close to the ground, unlike the black rhino, which feeds on shrubs.
Regarding reproduction, gestation lasts almost 16 months and calves are born weighing between 40 and 65 kg. Interestingly, females only give birth to one calf every 2 or 3 years, since the newborns stay with their mother for all that time.
There are subspecies such as: the Southern white rhinoceros, which has been successfully recovered from extinction, now with a population of more than 18,000 individuals, or the Northern white rhinoceros (functionally extinct), of which only two females remain alive, protected in a Kenyan reserve.
The biggest threats to these animals are poaching, as they are killed for their horn (highly valued in traditional Asian medicine), habitat loss (due to agricultural and livestock expansion and human conflict), and the low reproduction rate that makes it difficult to recover their populations.
That’s why some conservation measures have been implemented; from legal protection in all the countries where they live, to captive breeding programs and natural reserves, the use of modern technologies such as drone surveillance and armed guards, and scientific projects working on assisted reproduction to save the northern white rhino, including cloning and in vitro fertilization.
SOME CURIOSITIES
1. IS IT REALLY WHITE?
No, the white rhinoceros is named so due to a mistranslation of the Afrikaans word “wyd,” which means wide (referring to its mouth) and not “White” as it is often pronounced.
2. THEY RUN VERY FAST
Despite their large size, they are very agile animals that can reach up to 50 kilometers per hour over short distances.
3. THEY USE MUD AS SUNSCREEN
These animals wallow in mud to regulate their body temperature and protect themselves from the sun and parasites.
4. RELATIONSHIP WITH BIRDS
They have a special relationship with oxpecker birds, which eat the parasites off their skin and also act as alarms in the presence of danger.
5. COMMUNICATION
They produce infrasonic (low-frequency) sounds that interestingly can travel long distances, a form of communication almost imperceptible to humans but very useful for them.
6. TERRITORIALITY
To mark territory, they use excrement, leaving dung piles at key points which also help them communicate with others of their species.
The white rhinoceros is a symbol of resilience, survival, and hope in the fight for conservation. Although it has been on the brink of extinction, joint efforts have managed to save one of its subspecies. However, it remains an urgent reminder of the importance of protecting biodiversity.
If you’re lucky enough to experience a safari and see them in the wild, we assure you it will be an unforgettable experience.