Return of the Rhinos

Africa is home to two species of rhino: the white rhino (Ceratotherium simum) and the black rhino (Diceros bicornis). The white rhino is taller and heavier, standing up to 6 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing up to 6,000 lbs. The black rhino is smaller, reaching full height at 4 ½ to 5 ½ feet tall, and weighing up to 3,000 lbs.

Other differences between the two include their territories (both are sub-Saharan, but call different countries home) and their diets (one prefers grasses while the other prefers leaves). But strangely, the one thing that does not distinguish the rhinos from each other is their colour. In spite of their names, black and white rhinos are the same medium-grey hue.

Rhinos in southern Africa are grazers who subsist on a diet of bush grasses. They have a wide, flat mouth that is perfectly suited for vacuuming food from the ground. Dutch-speaking settlers to the South Africa called them the “wijd-mond rhino” meaning “wide-mouth rhino.” Later, English-speaking settlers to the area misheard “wijd” as “white.” And just like that, the Ceratotherium simum was dubbed the “white rhino,” a name based not on color, but a mispronunciation. Nowadays, you will also hear the white rhino referred to as the “square-lipped rhino.” Virtually all white rhinos are found in just four countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Kenya. like mouth to accommodate their search for food. As browsers, their diet consists of leaves and fruits found on the branches of trees and shrubs. The curved mouth allows the black rhinos to easily poke, prod, and pluck their food from the bush. You may hear these rhinos referred to as “hook-lipped” rhinos, but they are commonly called “black” rhinos just to distinguish them from the “white.” Black rhinos are native to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Kenya, as well as Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, and Zambia.

Just 40 years ago, Zambia had one of the largest concentrations of black rhinos in Africa — more than 12,000 roamed freely within its borders. But throughout the 1970s and 1980s, those numbers fell drastically. An increased demand for rhino horn (a prized ingredient used in traditional Chinese medicine) encouraged money-hungry poachers to begin a ruthless campaign of slaughter. The illegal trade eventually wiped out the entire population. Zambia declared the black rhino extinct in 1998. While it is nearly impossible to reverse the effects of such a devastating loss, conservationists have established programs that are re-introducing rhinos back into the country. We can support these efforts by visiting both black and white rhinos at the following Zambian national parks: Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park transported a small number of white rhinos from South Africa to maintain in a protective environment. The animals have managed to reproduce in their new surroundings (never an easy feat for wild animals) and there have been four births in the park. The total count there is 9.

Lusaka National Park, which just opened in June of 2015, imported two white rhinos from South Africa. During the week, they are free to roam in a large, fenced section of the park that allows them plenty of grazing opportunities. On weekends, however, they are brought into a smaller enclosure where visitors can observe them up-close. Early morning and late afternoon visitors may be lucky enough to catch them at feeding time.

North Luangwa National Park houses 34 black rhinos introduced by the North Luangwa Conservation Program (NLCP). The NLCP also has plans to expand the program in the future, by introducing more rhinos in South Luangwa Park and Kafue National Park.

Although the current living situation for these rhinos is not entirely natural, the programs are providing hope for the future. Just 20 years ago we were mourning the loss of rhinos in Zambia. Now, we are welcoming them home and celebrating their return. White Rhino