Tag: rhino

Many mammals, like this White Rhino bull, frequently wallow in mud and, on hot days, remain for a long time semi-submerged in their personal spa.

They do this for a multitude of reasons.

First – The drying mud withdraws heat from the body and cools them down.

Second – A layer of mud protects the skin against the direct sun, a bit like sun-screen for humans.

Third – The mud cover helps keeping parasites away from the skin.

Fourth – When rubbing on trees the mud can help to cleanse the outer layers of the skin, especially if it is wrinkled.

If you ever feel very hot and you pass an inviting looking mud-hole on a hot day then you could try this yourself. Just watch out for other mud hole visitors! ☺️

Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 3200 | 1/500sec | f6.7 | ev+0 | 240mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 50% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

It is very interesting to observe the various group structures in different mammals. Some of them are solitary, some of them life in huge herds, or in various sized sets.

White Rhinos for example form loose groups, called ‘crashes’. They can consist of multiple males, multiple females, or a combination of both. Dominant males are usually found patrolling and marking their territory by themselves. Daughters often remain together with their mothers even after they are adults. But there are no clear rules. Anything goes!

This picture shows two young males resting on an overcast day in an open area.

PS: Groups of Black Rhinos are also called crashes. But as both adult females and males are territorial, group sightings are much rarer, usually made up from a mother and her offspring-spring.

Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f4.0/500mm | ISO 320 | 1/500sec | f4 | ev+/-0 | 500mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 75% of original image | hand-held

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

In 2023 the focus of Rhino poachers in South Africa has shifted from Kruger National Park to KwaZulu Natal. To date over 60% of all illegally hunted Rhinos were killed in our province.

This year Thanda Safari has started a new project using AI technology to help protecting these incredible creatures. Solar-powered foot collars collect valuable information about the Rhinos movement/behavior and transmit the data via numerous communication masts to a central database. Sophisticated AI software uses the collected data to prepare valuable information for the Thanda Wildlife Management and Reserve Security Teams.

It is estimated that less than 28,000 Rhinos are still alive on Earth with just ~20,800 of these located in Africa (White Rhinos ~16,800, Black Rhinos ~4,000).

Feel free to contact me in case you have any questions and/or if you would like to help the Rhino-protection-efforts with a donation.

Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 640 | 1/500sec | f6.7 | ev+0 | 150mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 40% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

Baby Rhinos are very playful little creatures. It is a joy to watch them running up and down while their mums are steadily feeding on plant material (Grass for White Rhinos and tree material for Black Rhinos).

And if the mother is relaxed about game drive vehicles then her offspring has usually no problem being close to the car either. This little boy was a real poser in the low afternoon sun. This is my favorite picture taken during last night’s drive!

Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f2.8/70-200mm | ISO 200 | 1/500sec | f2.8 | ev+0 .5| 200mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 90% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

… are not a Rhino fashion statement. These small triangle cut-outs on the ears were made by our wildlife department. Every Rhino on the reserve features a different notch pattern and is therefore easily identifiable from a distance. This helps Thanda Safari’s Monitors (= wildlife team members dedicated to tracking endangered species) to perform their task of keeping track of these endangered and prosecuted creatures. All our guides assist them by reporting any Rhino sightings to the monitors.

Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f2.8/300mm | ISO 500 | 1/750sec | f4 | ev+0 | 300mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 20% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

Nowadays most people expect and prefer social media reels with videos, image slide shows, and matching music. But quite a few of my followers have asked me to post pictures beside the reels. And as much as I enjoy creating reels I am still a picture photographer at heart. So, from today I will again also post pictures, even if they do not get as many hits and likes as the reels. I will enjoy doing so and I hope you will enjoy looking at them.

Today’s first picture is of a White Rhino enjoying the fresh grass emerging from a recently burned area.

Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f2.8/70-200mm | ISO1250 1/500sec | f2.8 | ev0 | 140mm | WB 6500K | Crop to 80% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography

… when a Black Rhino shows interest in you!

#Amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari