Birth of Baby Black Rhino

by Pete Roberts
(www.victoriafalls-guide.net)

The Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve has proudly announced the successful birth of another baby black rhino calf - an exciting milestone in this local breeding project.

The Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve (VFPGR) is now home to a ‘crash’ of 6 black rhino. Shungu (the big daddy) fathered two calves, Lindani and Chippy mothered by Bambi and Buster respectively, in June 2008. Buster has now produced her second calf, a male, which was born at the beginning of April. There were many anxious days waiting for a sighting of the calf, with mother and calf hiding away as is natural in the first few weeks.

Only 20 minutes from town, the VFPGR is one of the few locations in southern Africa where one can almost guarantee seeing black rhino in its natural environment.

The reserve runs morning, afternoon and night-time game drives, operated by Shearwater Adventures, where there is a good chance of seeing the ‘Big 5’ as well as the antelope and other game species typical of the area.

The night drives often also sight leopard, another elusive species.
The reserve is also home to the International Anti-Poaching Foundation – see our story on de-horning the rhino in last month’s newsletter here.

Shearwater are currently running a competition to name the new calf. Top of the list is ‘Tafara’, which means ‘joy’ in Shona.

Read more about Shearwaters game and night drives here.