Black Rhino charges lions and then us: Video
Published by Wildcaster 2 years ago Tags: africa, animal kingdom, black rhino, blogumentary, cites, conservation, documentary, ecotraining, education, elephants, endangered species, flickr, GLTP, gonarezhou, Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, hunting, IUCN Red List, lions, malilangwe, mashable, narrowcasting, Open Content Alliance, pamushana, peace parks, photos, polls, predators, teach, video, waterhole, wildcasting, wildlife, wildlife documentary, youtube, zimbabwe.We had another early start and already when we picked up the lions at dawn they were in the process of passing out for the day.
Well that was until the black rhino bull entered the scene. We saw him moving around in the bush in the background and the young male lion went to investigate. The rhino, with its bad eyesight would only have seen movement, which was enough to make it charge. But this was really of no consequence to the lion as it bolted out the way.
Then the rhino suddenly found itself confronted by our vehicle. A stationary monster. Not sure what to do and trying to keep face he charged, stopped, charged again, stopped, charged and ran off.
We were lucky to have called his bluff, and it was incredible to see the speed that such a huge beast can attain.
Once he had moved off in his cloud of dust the lions did pass out for the rest of the day.
Mandlovu and her herd had split off from the main herd and were right up in the very northeast corner of the reserve. Trailing them was a young bull.
The country they were in was horribly thick and had me cursing as they kept moving deeper and deeper into the thickets. At least the thick bush did provide lots of shade from the scorching sun. Temperatures just didn’t let up again today.
The rest of the breeding herd had moved south into more respectable country and ended up swimming in Nduna dam. Now that’s what elephants should be doing.
The mopanie bush did though provide us with another find, mopanie worms. These colourful worms can at times be found in their thousands crawling over and denuding all mopanie trees of their leaves. But I think the ones we found were an early batch and out in small numbers. I climbed to the top of a tree to get a worm to show the girls. They couldn’t believe that people eat them as a delicacy either fresh, dried or fried and now sometimes tinned. I didn’t venture that far as to show them how yummy they really are.
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Kim, you had me worried. I read the title and started to watch. Half way through I feared we wouldnt get to see the charge. I was holding my breath. Then we got to see it and I was even more nervous. Were you worried at all about the charge or could you just read the sighned that he was bluffing? Question, somewhat odd. But Im a collector of watches. what kind are you wearing?
Loved the video of the lions. The day looks so peaceful. Wish I were there enjoying the day, but I dont think my winter skin could handle that heat. It’s cold here today and it’s 33. Im not use to that kind of heat!!! Keep up the great work!
Cheers
Paige
Kim, you keep mentioning the blistering heat. Is it unusually hot there now or is this just the normal temps? What is the humidity like? Oh…and do you have mosquitos there? Just curious
Paula
Hi Kim
VERY Very very nice. Loved your lions and their chops licking. Great action on the Three tonnes of Bad Temper too - I have yet to see one in the wild.
Wishing you and you family a great time together over the holiday season, and some realy spectacular sightings for 2007.
Regards
Callie
In that short space of time I wasn’t sure what the rhino would do. But if he hit the car he would have hit my bull bar which is really sturdy. So wasn’t really worried.
Hmmm….. watch. Just an “el-cheepo” It’s a ‘Umbro’
The heat is normal for this time of year but when it hits 40 degrees C it’s pretty hot if you’re used to it or not. At least the elephants can cool off every hour or so in a mud wallow. I don’t have any luxuries.
it is the most humid time of the year but even then it’s not that bad. I remember being in Washington DC in summer and the humidity there was much worse.
Mosquitoes are coming and they come in force. No getting away from them.
Thanks Callie and to you too. Had a look at your lion chasing leopard photos - Wow!!!
Cheers Kim
Wow,I find it refreshing that Mr. Kim takes the time to answer our questions.Hat’s off to him.
Now,I have a question for Kim….
Have you seen very many lion/leopard and crocodile interactions?
Scott, If you click on “Callie” at the top of message #3, there are some great shots of lion/leopard interaction (look for Adrenalin series). This is just an aside - Kim no doubt has many experiences of those interactions.
Nuanetsi,
Thanks,I welcome any directions/comments/hints from you or anybody else in regards to nagivating/using this site.
Concerning lion/leopard interactions,I meant either lion or leopard interactions with the crocodile(or R pythons).
But,since you are on that subject(and I find it interesting),…I wonder if it’s possible for a male leopard under optimal conditions while up a tree to successfully defend it’s kill from a lioness?
I am very much aware that this would be the rare exception,and not the rule.
Thanks again,scott.
Nuanetsi,
Good lord,that was one very lucky leopard.
Thanks again,and are you kims wife?
Never mind,or please ignore the “wife” comment.
This is kind of off topic,but I watched an asian leopard interacting very aggressively with a larger sloth bear on a documentry “up close and personal” on animal planet today.
It’s weird how leopards will fight dangerous wild boars(wart hogs),sloth bears,and crocodiles,but yet they often relinquish kills to lone hyenas and to a much lesser extent honey badgers.
Going off subject again,…
In regards to kim’s documentry “predators at war”,I would spent my entire pay check on a part two.
Scott, no, I am just an observer - I just happened to see the chase pictures, which were unbelievable - and because of your question (which I misread) pointed you to them. I live far away in the States and this videoblog serves has a reminder of the days, long ago, when I lived in South Africa - once for a few years just near the border of Zimbabwe and South Africa. Hence the name nuanetsi (a river in southern Zimbabwe/South Africa).
I just checked Callie’s page, too. Breathtaking encounter between the lions and leopard. The leopard was incredibly lucky to have made it to the tree.
Kim are you planning on filming lions next?
Paula
Hi Scott. A leopard and her 2 cubs were walking in the river bed and the one cub (about 8 months old) ventured too close to the water and was caught by a big croc. It was in winter when the crocs don’t really hunt. They croc lay with cub in it’s mouth for about 6 hour before going off to devour it.
Can’t remember any other incidences I’ve seen.
Hi Paula. Yes we are working on a lion film. Just filming in the day for now. But early next year will be working all night with them.
Cheers
Kim
>>>
Kim, any chance you will be able to do the live shots at night like you did for Tjololo? That was great fun and informative as well.
Paula
Hi Paula. Got many things up the sleeve AND they will be better than before. Just because of technology. Cheers Kim
Kim,
1) I wonder if it’s possible for a male leopard under optimal conditions while up a tree to successfully defend it’s kill from a lioness?
-I am very much aware that this would be the rare exception,and not the rule.
2) Has anybody used “the critter cam” on tagged leopards?
-I ask this because you speak of new technologies.
-I would be opposed to this unless the camera was of such small size that it was oblivous to both the leopard and it’s prey items.
Thanks again,and I look forward to your next documentry.
Hi Scott
1. i’ve seen and filmed a male leopard keep his kill from a lioness in a tree. She just couldn’t get that 2inches higher to get to him. He did also dish out a few swatts to her face. Bold dude. (”Stalking Leopards”)
2. I think it would be hard to attach it anywhere that would be of any use. I mean anywhere that would give you a decent camera angle. It has been used on lions but being that much bigger gives one more chance of getting images from underneath the jaw.
Hope that all makes some sense. Cheers Kim
I can’t wait to see what the new technology will bring us! It was pretty great when you were following TJ. I can see I’ll be spending more time in front of my computer when that comes about.
Paula