The journey of a Rhino
Posted on: 3 April 2023 Written by: Megan Smith
The Species
A male square-lipped (white) rhino will go the extra mile in showing the female his interest. After courting her for about 20 days he will stay with her for about a week after copulation. The square-lipped rhino is the biggest in the world and it takes about 16 months for a female to grow her calf.
Females are hardly ever alone and will always have some company around. Whether it’s her latest calf or friends. Males will defend their territory from other males, but will happily accept a female. Square-lipped rhinos are herbivores and strictly eat grass.
A baby rhino will drink milk from mom for the fist year, but will start eating grass whilst drinking milk at about 2 months old. The horns of a square-lipped rhino grows throughout their whole life. Each year it can grow up to 6cm. The rhino will keep the horn sharp by rubbing it against hard ground and various other surfaces. Rhino horn is made up of keratin - the same protein which forms the basis of our hair and nails. These magnificent animals live anything from 40-50 years in the wild.
The Treat
All rhinos are killed for their horns. This tragedy happens due to peoples' beliefs about the horns. It is an unfortunate reality for this species. The biggest belief that threatens them is that the horns are an aphrodisiac and a cure all. The horn will be crushed into a powder and put into a tea or soup. Some of you that are reading might be amazed that in our westernised world there are still people that believe this.
If you have heard about this cure-all medicine from the people you trust the most in your life there is no reason to doubt it. Especially, if this information is being passed down from generation to generation. If you or someone you love got diagnosed with an uncuttable disease, you will do anything in your power to rectify the situation. This is when rhino horn comes into the picture. Something to think about. There is less than 16 000 square-lipped rhino left.
Motswari’s Impact
We had a rhino poached on our reserve in 2014. After the threat was brought to our door, Rhino Disharmony was established. Rhino Disharmony is a nonprofit that aims to raise much needed awareness around the Rhino poaching crisis through the universal medium of art.
For more information on Rhino Disharmony and how you can support, please visit our website at the link here.
Help us make a noise against this brutal killing. “The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will.”