There are some drives that stick with you for life…
We expected quite a heavy storm to hit us one evening. It looked very much like we might get hail, so tracker Ray Mabelane and I were about to head back to camp with our guests. We had been looking for wild dogs for most of the afternoon but with the winds now picking up into seriously strong gusts, tracking them became harder and harder. Having already turned for home, a guest suddenly spotted a female rhino with a sub-adult just behind her. I stopped to have a quick look with the binoculars and out of the corner of my eye as I was about to drive on, I saw a tiny rhino calf wobbling around in the grass next to the bigger rhino.
In low light I managed to capture the newborn as it wobbles towards its mother. Notice the rain speckles on the back.
Ray and I looked at each other saying, “That’s new new!” implying this calf had just been born. We drove slightly closer, wanting to give enough space to the mother and her calf. We passed the afterbirth just a few meters away from us which got us all even more excited as it confirmed that this calf was literally minutes old.
There we were, storm rolling in and sitting with the tiniest rhino calf any of us had ever seen.
Watching it wobble its way around its mother and still searching to find where to suckle made me very emotional; a moment of realizing exactly why I do what I do. The setting of witnessing that against the black stormy clouds slowly covering what was left of the blood-red sky is an image I will cherish forever.
It wasn’t over yet though.
Out of the blue, two wild dogs showed up. I will admit I panicked for the safety of the calf but the mother was up immediately, chasing off the dogs, who ran a few metres, fed on the afterbirth then ran off. I couldn’t believe everything that was happening around me. I still can’t.
We didn’t pay too much attention to the wild dogs as everyone was so fixated on the calf, which in itself sounds crazy as wild dogs are so rare!
Funny noises were heard as the calf struggled to suckle from the mother for the first time. The big cow kept having to help the calf from toppling over as it was trying to come to terms with even being able to stand up right.
Soon after the dogs ran off the mother rhino lay down giving the calf another opportunity to find where to suckle. The rain started to come down hard, yet we hardly noticed it. We were mesmerized by what nature had provide us with. After we were all thoroughly soaked and darkness was nearly upon us, we drove off as everyone took in all that had happened. Something so small yet leaving such a big impression on all of us that day. I managed to get a short video of the mother and her new born. I hope it brings some joy to you today…
Incredible video.
Thank You, Marinda.
Incredible opportunity & video
Absolutely
Dean this is so fresh. How wonderful this capture was. Thanks for the video. What a cutie
Glad you enjoyed.
Simply amazing! Loved the video as well. Thanks for sharing this, Dean, made my day.
Glad it did, thanks Bruno.
The sighting of a lifetime, if I was Mr Varty I would working out how to charge the very lucky guests extra 🤔🤔🤔
Luck sometimes is on our side. Thanks for the comment Ian.
Dean, Thanks for sharing such a beautiful experience!
Glad you enjoyed it guys.
Thank you Dean! This made my Day! Such a special and wonderful video!!
Still makes mine too.
Dean, what a beautiful gift you gave us today! I’m in awe of the enormity of this moment, an addition to the rhino population we are so desperately trying to protect. This was the time to put on the ponchos, and observe. I would have loved that moment in time. Thank you for this uplifting story!
Little rhinos are cute but this little, little one wins top prize for cuteness! You are so lucky!
We did just that. Glad I could share the moment too. Thanks Denise
Lucky you to witness those tender moments
Very Lucky.
What a perfect new little Rhino and amazing experience for you all – great new life at Londoz. . Recently, and for the first time watched a bigger baby rhino suckling and was very surprised to hear the happy noises!
Noises are the best.
What a great blog Dean. You all had the experience of a lifetime in seeing this beautiful event. Am sure you all felt that it was worth getting drenched for – I know I would have. Sweet short video and, I also, feel very emotional just from reading and seeing the video. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Glad t had that effect on you too Leonie. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks for sharing,what a cute little guy. Welcome to the world.
Glad you enjoyed Marc
oh so fantastic! Booked to return to Londolozi in January and can’t wait!!!
We look forward to having you back, Thanks for comment Karen
Dean, what an awesome sight! Baby rhino and mother!
Was incredible.
Thank you for this beautiful story and video. The beauty of that baby and it’s sweet mom made me cry. Such majestic animals. Lovely!
Love to hear when stories that effect on people. Glad you enjoyed.
WHAT an amazing sighting, Dean! The question is, did you see the little one actually FIND where to suck? –
Wendy M
Unfortunately not Wendy, lightning came so we had to go.
Priceless Dean! And the video was an emotional event. How fortunate that the calf was spotted or you might have settled for the two wild dogs!!! Congratulations!
Thank you guys, very lucky.
What a memorable sighting. Might that be Dad rhino in the background?
More than likely her older Calf Judith.
Wonderful news on many fronts. Even baby rhinos are so cute. Thanks for the boost to our spirits. Victoria
Glad you enjoyed.
Absolutely amazing!
Oh, my gosh, how exciting! Your photos and that video were spectacular and your description of the event brought tears to my eyes. So very touching!
Thank you Darlene, glad you enjoyed it so much.
Little rhino always cute but this little, little one wins top prize for cuteness! You are so lucky!
Very Lucky.
Amazing!!
Beautiful – thank you!
How wonderful! Having been able to watch such a newborn and its mum and on top of it wild dogs is such a fantastic gift from nature. So amazing.