If yesterday was quiet on the plains, today returned us to heart-thumping wildlife adventure that you’d expect in Africa.
Queen Elizabeth and Kofi Annan are two healthy adult southern white rhinos living in a sanctuary in the Maasai Mara. Sanctuaries are not uncommon in the rhino-care world.
In fact, some conservation organizations credit them with bringing back southern white rhinos and back rhinos from near extinction in Africa.
But you can read the stats as you’re so inclined and support Save the Rhino, which I recommend.
What you can’t know is how loud my chest was pounding when Queen Elizabeth, a mere 10 or 12 feet away, turned her massive head toward our little group and took a couple steps forward. Big steps. Rhino steps. (Did I mention we were on foot?)
Edward, the unarmed ranger, motioned for us to back up as he spoke to Queen Elizabeth in a quiet soothing language that only the two of them understand, three actually when you include her male companion Kofi Annan.
Edward, with his arms outstretched and continued coaxing, got Queen Elizabeth to turn and walk back into the brush.
How did you do that?
“She knows me, she know my voice. She trusts me.” Edward was matter of fact, but not without pride.
And he should be proud. He and several other rangers and guards (they are armed) take care of these two beasts round the clock.
Edward with His Charges
The sanctuary is surrounded by a boma, too big in circumference to register. When you’re in the sanctuary, you’re in the open bush with two rhinos roaming freely.
Edward explained that the female, 21 years old, has been there since she was young, and the male, 16, was born in the sanctuary.
The staff’s commitment to the pair of rhinos is complete and unconditional.
We followed Edward who followed Queen Elizabeth to the sanctuary headquarters where she met back up with her partner. The two eyed us occasionally. But for the most part kept on eating.
It was a brief visit. But a powerful one. And not that I’m keeping score, but that’s all of them. The Big Five. I was fortunate enough to see all of them during my two weeks in Kenya.
Two unforgettable weeks.
