Day 7 Friday April 21: Mrs. Janes Goes Rhino Tracking and Takes a Tangle with the Bushes!

Hello Class: On Friday I had an adventurous day. My guide Flippi took me Rhino Tracking. Although we didn't see any rhinos on this day, we did see two the first day we were here. See the above bottom picture to the left-we saw a young male bull and a young female white rhino. Also, the one to the right Mr. Janes saw yesterday on his exploration.

Here is a fact you might be interested in: Although Africa has black and white rhinos, they are not named for their color. They are the same varying color, but distinguished by their features. The white name is actually Africans for "wide," referring to the  white rhino's mouth, which is flattened. You will also notice the tracks at the top of the picture. While tracking the rhinos we were looking for the clover leaf-like tracks. You will see in the photo, there are three clover markings, the top of the three indicates the direction the rhino was going.

It is important to know about the plight of rhinos in Africa, specifically Namibia. Many people in the USA do not know about this. Sadly, there is a real problem with poaching these magnificent animals, almost to the point of extinction. There are less than 5,000 black and 18,000 white rhino alive today. According the Rudie, Professional Hunter, in the last three years, 3 rhinos were poached a day. Unfortunately, there is a foreign market for the rhino horn, which is believed to be a remedy for many ills. Mount Etjo has approximately 60 Rhinos on their 80,000 acre property which are  protected very carefully to assure they are not poached. Currently they have 3 teams of security who conduct patrols in the area, as well as security gates and helicopter surveillance. Mount Etjo RHINO Trust, under the guidance of Annette Oelofse (the owner, who has a passion for saving the rhinos) was established to aid in the survival of the animal. The Trust helps  pay for the cost of raising baby rhinos, vitamins for the herd and to assure no poaching takes place. You might be interested in linking with another website developed by a 6 year old girl, Sophia who visited Mt. Etjo and became concerned about the rhinos. Here is her website: www.sophiasavesrhinos.com.

In addition, Annette Oelofse wanted to assure her herd of rhinos expanded, so she acquired three "lady" rhinos which she recently released into the wild so they could mingle with the male bulls. While I was out exploring a few days ago, we saw Annette and she pulled up next to our jeep. She said she was looking for the ladies and last saw their tracks at the riverbed. Not knowing the story, I asked her if she was looking for a few lost lady tourists. Ha-ha! We got a good laugh out of it. The next day she was able to find her lost lady rhinos.

Mrs. Janes' Safari Tip of the Day:  See bottom picture. While out exploring on this day (and sitting on the top-side of the vehicle) I took a tangle with the Thorned-Acacia bushes. Looks like a leopard pawed me!  Tip: Always sit on the middle seat.

We are having the time of our lives here! I have never been in such a serene, pristine and lush environment surrounded by some of the most beautiful animals in the world. I am glad you are sharing this experience with me.

Next, I will tell you about our encounters with two of the animals I said I  haven't seen yet, but hoped to. You will not be disappointed! But, that is another day....