Heavily Pregnant

The best time for white rhino activity at waterholes is usually late afternoon, sunset and evening, so I was quite surprised to see a huge white rhino lumbering up to the waterhole at dawn, with a smaller rhino in tow. The large cow, thanks to ear-notching identification, was the rhino “Mahlupeka”, one of The Malilangwe Trust’s original cows that were purchased and relocated from KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa around the turn of the century, for the (now highly successful) rhino programme.

In these photos she's with her son “Mungana”. Being heavily pregnant she probably chose to drink at dawn, avoiding any possibly boisterous activity from other rhinos. She just needed peace and quiet in the final weeks of her long, approximately 16-month, pregnancy. Since these photos were taken she has given birth to a new calf - her 11th calf born on the reserve!

Her son Mungana has a big transition to make. He’s probably been at his mother’s side for about two to three years, but Mahlupeka will not want him around when she has a tiny newborn to look after. Mungana would have been weaned when he was a year to a year-and-a-half old. At this sighting his mom wasn’t paying him any attention and you could see he was a little frustrated and playing up. His mother was entertaining none of it!

When a rhino cow gives birth she will encourage her older calf to leave. That older calf will need to become independent and integrate into other social groups. They often form bonds with other young rhinos or join subadult groups. This process ensures that the mother can devote her energy and resources to the new calf while the older calf is equipped with the skills to survive on its own.

May Mahlupeka and her new baby thrive! All going well the calf will be notched and named in the next two years. Meanwhile Mungana will spend the next few years focusing on growing and developing his physical strength and fighting skills. If he wants to establish dominance he will start his bid at maturity, typically around 10-12 years of age. This involves aggressive behaviour and physical confrontations with other males, including sparring with horns, pushing, and charging. Once a bull has established dominance over others, it can claim a territory.

Mahlupeka is a magnificent specimen – and mother. She’s given the world 11 more precious white rhinos to continue her and her species’ legacy.

Mungana is none too happy about the lack of attention from his mother, but he is about to enter an exciting new chapter of independence and discovery. Do your mother proud Mungana!

Words and images by Jenny Hishin