Right now I feel I need to jump forward in the African Adventure for just a moment. I just learned that the International Union for Conservation of Nature has declared Africa's western black rhino officially extinct. It's extinction is mainly due to poaching for trophies and for their horns, which superstition holds is a cure for cancer, and to a general lack of conservation measures.
While in Tanzania, (the second half of our trip) we were fortunate enough to observe a solitary black rhino while on one of our game drives. It was a spectacular moment- I remember our guide being very excited. He said they were rare and extremely shy. They tended to chase off any other species in their general vicinity, and really didn't even like the company of their own kind. Our group was in awe of this majestic creature standing alone on the plain, browsing on leaves and twigs. We stayed and watched for a good half hour, until she disappeared into the brush.
I feel so incredibly saddened that another animal has been wiped off this earth, and so blessed to have had the opportunity to see one of these beautiful creatures with my own eyes, to have shared the experience with my father and step-mom, and now to be able to share my experience through this blog.
After reading of the fate of the black rhino, I went searching for my photos of that day. Poring through the photos of the rhino, I felt the weight of my experience and my eyes teared up. I remembered the peace on that plain, and the warm, dry wind that carried the faint sound of the black rhino as she lumbered slowly through the brush. I remembered how our camera shutters clicked wildly for a few moments and eventually tapered off to silence, amazement and a sense of gratitude for being able to view this animal that most may never see outside of a tv special, zoo.
My heart is heavy now knowing the black rhino will not be a part of our world any longer.
