It seems like a thousand years ago now, but one time I went to South Africa and I got bit by an eagle when I was trying to pass a GI tube, and it eventually died from its injuries and, no, I was not allowed to dissect it afterwards. I was able to help the vet tranq' a few lion cubs to test for tuberculosis, and there were three wee cheetah cubs that needed some company every once in a while. I watched a few hundred vultures descend from the sky to eat meat scraps, and the hyenas woke me up almost every single night. I went to Kruger National Park on safari and I saw giraffe and elephants and warthogs and a tortoise crossing the road.
It was unbearably hot for the first week I was there, but then thunderstorms rolled in with a week of cool air. I decapitated, skinned, and disemboweled guinea pigs so that I could hand feed an aging wood owl. I never grew to like the kites. And I found the servals to be detestable animals.
Mostly though, I fell in love with a baby rhinoceros. Who was shy the first day that I met her, but quickly decided that I was good company. After being assigned to her care, we spent hours and hours together each day. She became like a shadow; one that needed its belly scratched and afternoon naps.
Eventually, long after I was home again, I understood that my most sacred morning coffee hours would forever be the ones where I sat snuggled up reading next to an eight month old rhino, while we watched the early African sun burn the mist off of the Drakensberg mountains. Bliss.
Maybe someday I'll write to you about the people, who turned out to be far more hair-raising and curious than the bushbaby or honey badger...
In the mean time, you guys can check out the whole set of Africa photos HERE.
Love & Baby Rhino,
Sabrina
Baby rhino! So cute! Also, I've been wanting to go to South Africa for quite some time now, that's awesome you got the chance. You work with so many cool animals!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rachel! The animals were definitely an amazing experience. I can now happily add a few exotics to the list of 'animals whose poop I have scooped.'
DeleteThe baby rhino does seem sweet. Your photo of the rhino with the kids in the background haunts me. I dunno, maybe because I'm thinking, what if one of them runs in with this rhino in the future, and maybe one of them turns out to be a poacher? Although I do hope that they get to realize that these animals are part of their heritage too...
ReplyDeleteThat certainly is a huge problem in many different parts of Africa! It was interesting to learn about conservation and education efforts in the area... one would hope that meeting & learning about a baby rhino like this in school would deter a person from poaching later in life, but I think the reality is that these emotional bonds don't matter when you have a starving family or sick children. There is so much anthropology behind these conflicts! It's fascinating.
DeleteThis is a great resource if you want to learn more about rhino poaching: http://teamrhino.co.uk
Woo - this is amazing! What a brilliant experience. I was thinking of venturing out Africa ways, did you go with a company, or a volunteer place?
ReplyDeleteHi Elly! Thanks for popping in! I booked the trip through a SA/UK based company because I was a little nervous to break out on my own for something like this. If you want to talk specifics about projects and my recommendations, you should send me a quick email, I'd love to chat! sabrina.estabrook.russett@gmail.com
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