Tourists on a recent photo safari in South Africa were chased for nearly two minutes by an angry rhinoceros that, at times, closed almost within striking distance of their vehicle.
The accompanying footage, captured by Rian Boshoff in Sabi Sands Game Reserve, shows the white rhino doggedly pursuing the safari truck, as an equally determined driver tries to keep his group clear and safe.
Boshoff told For The Win Outdoors that the harrowing encounter occurred on the afternoon of July 29, involving seven tourists on an excursion from the Djuma camp. (The video, uploaded last Thursday, shows the pursuit at full speed and in slow motion.)
As viewers will note, the guide, named Taxon, attempts a series of sharp turns through rugged terrain to try to gain distance and take advantage of the rhino’s poor eyesight (a common trait).
There are several close calls but ultimately the rhino begins to tire and Taxon leaves the animal in a settling trail of dust.
Boshoff shared the footage with Latest Sightings – Kruger. Sabi Sands borders Kruger National Park.
Southern white rhinos can weigh nearly three tons but are surprisingly agile for their size. They can attain speeds of nearly 25 mph in short bursts.
The World Wildlife Federation states that the animals were once hunted to near extinction but now number about 20,000 animals (combined) in four countries: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the southern white rhino as “near threatened.”
–Images are courtesy of Rian Boshoff/Latest Sightings – Kruger, and Wikimedia Commons (last photo)
