Big Rhinos Need Big Hearts Too

Since our last report, the weather has started to change, with the southern hemisphere winter setting in. This means that the landscape is now revealing dryer grass with the occasional sparsely leaf-decorated tree.

Lula and Khulula

Because of this change in weather, Lula and Khulula’s lucerne and teff portions will be increased. In the wild, rhinos would be able to move around freely and go in search of more dense vegetation when the seasons change. However, being resident for the time being at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC) means that the rhinos are kept in specific secure areas, and not able to move far away. For this reason, their food intake is monitored closely and substituted with the lucerne and teff as required.

When it comes to food digestion, a white rhino’s digestive tract is unlike other herbivores such as antelope and giraffe, who have chambered stomachs to repeatedly break down their food by means of specialised bacteria. Rhinos, instead, have a simple stomach, and rely on their caecum (which contains gut flora) to break down the food into simpler compounds before it reaches the large intestine.

Esmé

Esmé has proven to be a real star when it comes to the rhino calves. Both Bula and Peter (who has become Esmé’s little shadow) are now with her in the boma - along with Thaba, Mango, and pedi sheep Mielie and Liquorice. A full house indeed. They are kept in their boma from the late afternoon through to the early morning; when they are let out to roam freely around HESC.

Our hearts are warmed at the thought of all the rhinos doing so well, and we look forward to bringing you more stories as they go about their peaceful coexistence.

Links:

• Watch the rhinos live from their boma