Black Rhino photos by Yvonne van der Mey

The Black Rhino is the rarest of the two African Rhino species. It almost became extinct during the last century because of hunting and poaching, and this beautiful creature is still on the CITES list of endangered species. A lot smaller than the White Rhino and much more agressive, this Rhino eats the leaves from bushes, and that's exactly where it likes to be. These animals usually run away when they meet people, but if they feel cornered, they will attack. Also because there are not a lot of them left (appr. 350 in Kruger Park), each encounter with a black rhino is very special.

The name "black" has nothing to do with their colour. In South Africa there are two species of rhino, and the other one was named "wijde" lip rhino in Afrikaans, because of its square lips. This was translated into "white" rhino in English, and so the other species was automatically named "black" rhino. Like the White Rhino they have very poor sight, but great hearing.

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