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Rhino Collides with Landcruiser

Category: Mammals | Date: Feb 13 2008 | By: tumaren

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.

13 Responses to “Rhino Collides with Landcruiser”

THERESA SISKIND, on 13 Feb 2008

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 13 Feb 2008

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 13 Feb 2008

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 13 Feb 2008

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

James, on 13 Feb 2008

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

James, on 13 Feb 2008

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

Annie/Texas, on 14 Feb 2008

poor girl…glad she is ok!

dr antonio canella italy, on 14 Feb 2008

wow!

Christina--San Diego, California, on 14 Feb 2008

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 14 Feb 2008

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 14 Feb 2008

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 15 Feb 2008

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 19 Feb 2008

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

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