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Writer's pictureSemwano Chonya

Ol Pajeta - Crossing the Equator to Pay Homage to Rhinos


 

Greetings dear friends in travel,

 

September is such an alluring month in South Africa, the weather is beautiful, the flowers are out, seducing your senses, spring is in the air. And for the tourism industry, we have much to celebrate. 

 

On 22 September, we celebrated World Rhino Day.  Next to the pangolin, the rhino is the most poached animal on the continent. Rhinos are losing the battle against poachers: Every year, more and more of them are killed for their horns. On average, a rhino is killed every 15 hours in Africa.  There are five species of species of rhino in the world: two are in Africa, and three in Asia.  Two of these species have less than 60 rhinos left in the world.   These are sobering facts and stats. 

 

In 2021, I had the opportunity to visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy in central Kenya’s Laikipia Country.   From Nairobi, it was a day trip, to what is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, and home to two of the world's last remaining northern white rhinos.   To this day, the standout memory, was the the Rhino Memorial located to the east of the Conservancy that honours the lives of all the Ol Pejeta rhinos that were  killed in the poaching epidemic. A total of sixteen gravestones stand underneath the tree; a stark reminder of the devastation of the illegal wildlife trade, but also an inspiration to all who visit to continue supporting rhino conservation.

 

See below some facts about the five rhino species found in the world:

 

Black rhino – they weigh between 900 and 1350 kg. There are about 6400 rhino in the wild.  They are found in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Namibia,  eSwatini, Zambia, Botswana and Malawi – their numbers are dwindling.   They are most active at night, when they forage for food and are easily recognisable by their cute, hooked lips.  They carry two horns, one smaller than the other.   Black rhino can move extremely fast.  They have recorded running speeds of up of to 55 km/h. They can change direction surprisingly quickly and can run right through scrub and bushes.

 

White rhino – they weigh between 1800 and 2500 kg.  They have a square lip and have a “heavy-looking” head.  They graze and look like they are mowing as they eat!  They are largely found in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Angola, Botswana, DRC, eSwatini, Mozambique and Namibia.  White rhino also have two horns, and their horns can grow to an impressive 200 cm – this was anecdotal from a safari guide at Gondwana game reserve in the Western Cape of South Africa.

 

Greater one horned rhino – they weigh between 1800 and 2500 kg.   there are about 4018 in the wild. Found in India and Nepal. They are the second largest rhino species.  Their horns can weigh up to 3kg and can be as long as 81cm.

 

Jarvan rhino – Found in Java (Indonesia), they have a small horn. Their horn is not used for fighting but to scrape off mud.  Longest horn ever found was 27 cm and is housed in the British Museum in London. Less than 50 remain in the wild.  They weigh between 900 and 2300 kg.

 

Sumatran rhino – found in Sumatra and Boneo. Only about 45 remain in the wild. Longest horn ever recorded was 81cm and is housed in British Museum, London. And they weigh between 500 and 960 kg.

 

I invite you to try and see one of these magnificent creatures before it becomes impossible.  There are many wonderful organisations that support conservation efforts.  By going on safari, your money is channelled towards conservation.  If you cannot go on safari, consider supporting one of these worthy organisations in their conservation efforts:

 


 

Contact us: travel@pekupeku.co.za to book your safari experience today, inject joy into your life, and help save a rhino!


🤍Semwano


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