Tumaren

Feb

Friends David Gulden and Lenjoh Lewarges were out photographing Rhino about a week ago. They were either working on Solio Ranch or in the Aberdares to the southwest. I have not yet gotten the whole story. Lenjoh said that a female rhino with a calf (first photo) was upset with a male rhino that was nearby. They were observing all the rhino behavior when the female just turned, charged and smacked into the side of the landcruiser just beside Lenjoh in the drivers seat. The horn passed through the open window with such force that it punctured the roof of the vehicle. She also bled slightly from a nick on the nose after the impact and that is the blood you can see in the second image. Besides the nick on the nose David and Lenjoh says the rhino walked away from the collision in what appeared to be fine shape.

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Filed under (Mammals) by tumaren @ 11:11 am

Comments:

13 Comments posted on "Rhino Collides with Landcruiser"

THERESA SISKIND on February 13th, 2008 at 12:18 pm

Well James, I’m a little baffled by your headline “Lion” being the stumper! In any case, I’m relieved the mother rhino appears to be ok but alittle battered, poor thing (just trying to protect her baby). I’m glad the occupants were unhurt.

Christine C. on February 13th, 2008 at 12:21 pm

Ok, that seems like it must have been more than a bit scary…that seems like a lot of blood though…Mama Rhino really was not hurt??

Sheryl, Washington, DC on February 13th, 2008 at 1:05 pm

Yeah, the “lion” in the title had me really worried. I’m so glad the female rhino wasn’t seriously injured, and yes, I’m glad the human animals are fine, too.

F. J. PECHIR on February 13th, 2008 at 4:31 pm

I hope the rhino is ok, there are some blood…

James on February 13th, 2008 at 4:54 pm

Sorry everybody, I had Lions on my mind. In fact i will go in and edit the headline for future comments. apologies.

James on February 13th, 2008 at 4:55 pm

I’m told the rhino mama is fine despite a bit of blood loss.

Annie/Texas on February 14th, 2008 at 8:38 am

poor girl…glad she is ok!

dr antonio canella italy on February 14th, 2008 at 11:17 am

wow!

Christina--San Diego, California on February 14th, 2008 at 11:18 am

Wow, what a story! I can’t believe the vehicle didn’t flip over.
What do you think it was about the vehicle that caused the rhino to charge? Perhaps it was too close to both her and her baby?
I am happy to hear the humans survived and rhino survived.

THERESA SISKIND on February 14th, 2008 at 12:23 pm

James, I can never keep straight the differences between the Black Rhino and the White Rhino. Using this photo, can you tell us which one she is us?

James on February 14th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

Hi All,
Rhinos have terrible eye sight and it may be that the female after being so upset with the male in the neighborhood was trying to hit what she thought was another rhino. she may also have just wanted to run an easy target over because of the frustration. This Rhino is a black. The best way to tell them apart is by their head and specifically their upper lip. Black rhinos have a prehensile upper lip for browsing and white rhinos have a broad flat lip suited for grazing on grass. The overall size of a white rhino is much greater than for a black as well. cheers, jc

THERESA SISKIND on February 15th, 2008 at 11:08 am

Great stuff, thanks, James. Good to know that just by observing their eating habits is a clue. Now James, any crocodile stories and pictures you want to share (and scare) with us?!

Rhino vs. Land Cruiser | Pacific Northwest Backroad Adventures on February 19th, 2008 at 9:54 pm

[…] can see the original story at Rhino Collides with Landcruiser. Now I wonder what a elephant could […]

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