The rhinoceros, an endangered animal
This huge, prehistoric-looking animal was declared extinct in Zambia in the late 1990s. The draconian measures put in place and the fight against poaching have saved the species. Today, there are about sixty individuals in the country. A fragile hope that we must defend daily. There are two species of rhinoceros: the black(Diceros bicornis) and the white(Ceratotherium simum). Don't try to tell them apart by their color, they are both gray. Among the white rhinos, there is the northern white rhino and the southern white rhino. The black rhino is smaller than its white cousin, it has a less elongated and more pointed head. Its temperament is however much more aggressive.
The black rhino is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their population declined by 97.6% between 1960 and the 1990s, mainly due to poaching. In 1993, there were only an estimated 2,300 black rhinos living in the wild, but thanks to conservation efforts in southern Africa, the population has grown to over 5,000 today.
The southern white rhino is listed as near-threatened by the IUCN. This subspecies was on the verge of extinction in the late 19th century. Thanks to conservation efforts, there are now about 20,000 of them living in the wild in eastern and southern Africa.
The northern white rhino is a subspecies of white rhino. It is now considered extinct in the wild. There are only two females left (Najin and Fatu) currently living in Kenya in the Ol Pejeta Reserve. The last male, Sudan, died on March 9, 2018.
The elephant, the sage of the bush
The African elephant(Loxondota africana) is the largest land animal. Its trunk is a small wonder of adaptation. About 2 m long, it ends with two finger-like appendages, prehensile and tactile. This long, mobile and sensitive organ is used to recognize itself, blow water, caress its young, pick plants, gather fruit, sniff the air, emit sounds and drink (the proboscis sucks up water and then spits it out in the mouth). The permanent movements of its large ears allow the blood, better regulated, to cool down by a few degrees. Its famous ivory tusks, which almost led to its loss, can reach 3 m and weigh nearly 50 kg each.
Elephants live in herds of fifteen to twenty individuals led by a matriarch. Older males leave the herd and generally lead a solitary existence. The social organization of the group is particularly efficient and the solidarity between members is total. Elephants are in constant communication thanks to numerous sounds and grunts inaudible to the human ear. Hunted for centuries for their ivory, African elephants have been threatened with total eradication. Today, their numbers are increasing, but the problems are not over. This huge animal consumes a considerable amount of water and food (175 kg of fodder and 90 liters of water per day) and is in territorial competition with man.
The lion, king of the savanna
The lion was present, until recently, throughout Africa, Asia Minor, Iran and India. Today, only a few African countries and about 200 individuals remain in the Gir forest in northwestern India. Lions are powerful predators, good jumpers and excellent swimmers. They have, like all felines, retractable claws, and unlike others, they have a particularly intense social life. The males defend the territory (between 20 km² and 400 km²) of the clan, which generally includes two lions, about ten females and their cubs. True to its reputation, the male lion is a lazy animal, capable of lounging for almost 20 hours a day. Females are less lazy and often hunt alone, using diversionary tactics. After the approach, the charge is made at 60 km/h over a short distance. Despite the cooperation of lionesses and sometimes males for large prey (buffalo in particular), four out of five attacks fail. If you are camping, you will probably have the chance to hear the lion's raucous roar in the middle of the night, which can be heard for almost 10 km around.
The leopard, the most discreet of felines
It is a muscular feline, of strong constitution, but very flexible. Its fawn coat is dotted with black rosette-shaped spots. In the mountainous and wooded regions, the leopard is much darker, even black-brown. It lives alone, except during the breeding season. The leopard hunts from a vantage point near water and in rocky areas where it sometimes seeks to flush out damsels and baboons. From a tree or a promontory, it jumps on its prey, terraces it with its powerful paws and breaks its neck or slits its throat. It then hoists its prey (sometimes bigger than it is) on a branch away from scavengers. Particularly discreet, it adapts to any environment, occasionally taking domestic animals (goats, poultry and even dogs near cities).
The African buffalo, a dangerous animal
The buffalo, the only species of wild cattle in Africa, is a massive, powerful and dangerous animal. Its horns curve upwards, while the two bases almost touching each other form a real helmet. The buffalo lives in large herds in the savannah and in small groups in the forest areas. The old solitary males are particularly unpredictable and charge without reason. Buffaloes are one of the few species, along with elephants, to show great solidarity. When an individual is attacked by lions, the rest of the group does not hesitate to rush the attackers, forcing them to flee. Be very careful if you walk in wooded areas. The buffalo is by far the most dangerous of the Big Five.
