The Ideal Trophy

Out of the entire lion population, the number of remaining adult male lions is considered to be around 5000. A mature male lion, aged 4–8 years, is the “gold standard” for a successful lion hunt. Weighing about 180 kg and standing about 1.2 meters tall, these broad shouldered, magnificent cats are the most sought after trophy. Estimates for hunting are difficult to confirm, but numbers as high as 500 have been reported for lions killed legally each year in hunts. The ramifications of their loss in the overall lion population are far-reaching. When you unpack the numbers it becomes abundantly and frighteningly clear that the death of a single adult male lion can have a devastating impact on overall population numbers.

The Pride

A young male lion will leave his pride some time after the age of two and begin a challenging life as a nomad. As he grows stronger and older, he will seek out new territory, and eventually, a pride of his own. Male lions will often form a coalition with one or two others in order to increase their chance of success in challenging for territory. By the age of four or five, they might become dominant pride males. A lion pride can be made up of as few as three or more than forty individuals. An average pride may be closer to fifteen. There will be one, or often two, dominant males. In a large pride there could be as many as a dozen adult females.

The lioness are generally related and in many cases, stay with their pride for life. Depending on the number of breeding females, there will also be a brood of cubs. A lioness may give birth to up to six cubs, but an average litter is three. The pride lionesses of breeding age will often have their cubs at the same time because this allows the cubs to nurse from multiple Moms.

The Sad Story of Lion Math

In the name of ego, sport and power, a trophy hunter takes aim with a high-powered rifle and kills a young male lion. (One lion dead.) This male, with his full mane, is the protector of his pride. Once killed, the pride becomes vulnerable. His coalition partner will be left to rule on his own. The threat from younger nomadic males looking for their own territory will often end in a fight to the death for this pride’s remaining male. (Two lions dead.)

For the sake of argument, let’s say the pride is twenty lions, including six adult females. Consider four of the females have an average of three young cubs. The first thing an incoming dominant male (or males) will do is kill the pride cubs. (14 lions dead.) However, a lioness’s first instinct will be to protect her cubs from rogue males. She will be fierce and in the process of defending her family she may sustain life-threatening injuries or die. Male lions will not waste their energy protecting another bloodline–they are hardwired to start their own. As long as a female has cubs she will not go into estrus. Killing her cubs resets her reproductive cycle and she will soon be ready to mate.

From the killing of one male lion for a hunting trophy the subsequent death toll for this pride could result in the loss of fourteen to eighteen lions.

Between the years 2003–2013 there were an estimated 10,000 legally obtained hunting trophies of African lions. It is little wonder then, that the overall populations have plummeted. It is currently estimated that trophy hunters legally kill between 500–600 lions a year (IUCN estimate). Apply the above scenario to only ten percent of these kills and the potential loss is staggering.

The odds are not in their favour.

“A world without the distant roar of lions at dawn, as the mists start to lift, is too terrible to contemplate.” –Dereck Joubert

Travel with me Virtually!

Thank you very much for visiting my website. I support myself as an artist solely with my photography and writing. If you enjoy the content I create and share,  please consider supporting me on KO-FI.COM  Joining the Armchair Wanderers or The Wild Bunch will give you access to exclusive member-only content-including behind-the-scene safari shenanigans live from my travels. Thank you for your ongoing encouragement and for promoting passion.

Cheers!

NJ

The post Lion Population: The Sad Story of Lion Math appeared first on NJ Wight.

The red-faced Bateleur eagle owes its name to the French word for tight-rope walking, a testament to the rocking movement of its wing tips as it glides overhead. It is a stunning bird-of-prey and one of my favorites to spot in the African bush. The vivid red skin in front of the eyes takes about eight years to fully form and once it does, there is absolutely no mistaking the Bataleur!

A Bold Approach with a Bateleur!

On a trip to South Africa in 2013, my ranger Andrew and I came across a pair of Bateleur eagles high up in a treetop, well off the road. It was a quiet day and there had not been much game to photograph. I was itching to create some images, so I suggested we try to get a little closer and Andrew positioned the truck forward, into some bush. I wasn’t satisified and asked if we could approach on foot. He was certain we would not get far once we left the truck. We got out and started to slowly zig-zag a path towards the tree. Within a few feet the male decided he didn’t like the look of me and took off for parts unknown. But his female companion stayed put. Maybe I would get lucky?

Slow and Steady!

I made my way forward in a slow meander, moving right and then left. Andrew stayed back keeping an eye on the area. I am sure my zigzag gait made me look like I had tossed back one too many Amurulas.  Every turn I got a little closer to her. She was clearly alert, looking back at me over her shoulder, but remained on her perch.

I took several shots as I was nearing the base of the tree, but the goal was to shoot this short-tailed eagle from directly below. Andrew thought I was loopy, but agreed to let me try my foolery.  I stayed put for a few moments before once again inching forward, keeping my head down, heart racing but appearing to look disinterested in her. Every couple of feet, thinking they may be my last forward, I would get off a couple of “safety” shots. I never imagined she would co-operate and let me get close enough–but I was wrong!

Beneath the Bateleur!

At last, I was at the base of the tree and right beneath a female Bateleur eagle! I hoisted up the Canon 5D Mlll with a Canon 400 F4 DO lens and balanced the rig on my forehead, trying to steady myself while I looked straight up. The weight of the camera resting on my face, and my head tilting back as far as I could, made me achingly aware of every vertebra! As my neck and shoulders strained to keep the camera still on my forehead, I made a mental note to email my physiotherapist. I was in awe that this gorgeous Bateleur eagle didn’t fly off! But she did continue to look out in the distance, denying me the image I was hoping for.

Finally, the moment I was after! Those dark, marble-like eyes catching the light, looked directly down at me as I looked straight up at her. I am sure she was wondering what kind of foolish, unicorn-like creature was directly below her? We made eye contact for a handful of ticks, and I got off two or three shots, my neck and back giving in to the wobbles. My grinning might also have contributed to the lack of stability.

Then, after the briefest of moments, she lifted her head, gave me a backwards glance, and flew off, leaving me standing there with a gleeful and goofy, yet achingly strained look on my face! At least she didn’t roll her eyes. I looked back at Andrew, and he was chuckling and shaking his head in disbelief.

When All the Elements Align

All of these images were taken on day nine of an eleven-day trip. It was only the second or third time in nine days that the gray and gloom had cleared slightly, leaving a small patch of passing blue sky between the clouds. If there was ever a moment for that to happen, this was it!

Over the years since this sighting, I have had other wonderful encounters with the magnificent Bateleur eagle, and I am always eager to try to capture them. But I have never again had such an amazing encounter as this one, looking up the skirt of my favourite eagle!

Just one last thing before you go…

Thank you very much for visiting my website. I support myself as an artist solely with my photography and writing. If you enjoy the content I create and share,  please consider supporting me on KO-FI.COM  Joining the Armchair Wanderers or The Wild Bunch will give you access to exclusive member-only content-including behind-the-scene safari shenanigans live from my travels. Thank you for your ongoing encouragement and for promoting passion.

Cheers!

NJ

The post The Bateleur Eagle: An Unusual Perspective appeared first on NJ Wight.

Capturing Iconic Safari Silhouettes

African sunrises and sunsets are very emotional. This magical time of day awakens a deep-rooted desire for peace and tranquility and reminds us of the earth’s capacity for unimaginable beauty. There are two very small windows of warm, glowing light in which to photograph safari silhouette–sunrise and sunset.

On my adventures in Kenya I spend most of my time between  Kicheche Bush Camp, Valley Camp and Mara North. With the help of outstanding guides, I have had the opportunity to practice photographing wonderful backlit subjects. Capturing safari silhouettes of these iconic African animals, that move with grace through the Mara’s dramatic beginning and end of days, is always a great privilege–and a greater challenge!

Composing a Safari Silhouette

One of the key elements of composing backlit silhouette photos is to get as low as possible. You need to create space between the horizon and the shape of the subject. The animal needs to be up high on the horizon with very little foreground. Below, the elephant was not quite high enough or distant enough–but the sheer bulk made for an interesting silhouette shape. Plus-those eyelashes!

When it is safe, I will often get out of the truck and lie on my stomach in the morning dew-drenched grass to get the maximum elevation of subject. Sometimes it pays off. Sometimes, all I am left with are wet pants and a vivid memory.

Safari Silhouette: Separating your Photographic Subject

A second challenge is subject separation. While a herd of zebra or wildebeest are amazing to see walking across the horizon, in order to make an impressive capture, the subjects need to be individually separate. They do not always co-operate and you end up with a strangely shaped black mass. Below, the very rare two-headed impala.

Check out NJ Wight’s At Night Wild! Cards!

Magical Memories!

Whether I am technically successful or not at taming the exposure and composing the subject, the photos make a memory. They capture those few fleeting moments when one can only marvel at the magical light.

One more thing before you go…

Thank you very much for visiting my website. I support myself as an artist solely with my photography and writing. If you enjoy the content I create and share,, please consider supporting me on KO-FI.COM  Becoming a member of the Armchair Wanderers or The Wild Bunch will give you access to exclusive member only content-including behind-the-scene safari shenanigans from my travels. Thank you for your ongoing encouragement and promoting  passion.

Cheers!

NJ

The post Photographing Safari Silhouettes appeared first on NJ Wight.

Where are you Hiding?

My first task was finding my tiny subject. Given this was a maiden voyage to their territory, (a side trip to Bocas del Toros while in Panama photographing hummingbirds) I was not exactly sure what to look for.  I walked the same forest path, back and forth, without so much as a single click of the shutter. The first encounter was thanks to a naturalist that I was fortunate enough to go hiking with. He pointed out a tiny red fleck on the low branch of a tree. I had not expected them to be so tiny and bright! After this gleeful introduction, I began retracing my steps in the jungle and, suddenly, my eyes had no problem spotting several little gems.

Vegetation Jewels

Poison dart frogs do like to hang out in the leaf litter. The trick to discovering them was to keep an eye on the vegetation just below my knee and slightly off the path. Their vibrant colour is a beacon in the bush! They are very tiny beings! Imagine something the size of a regular strength Tylenol, but with itsy-bitsy, silvery-blue speckled legs. The biggest challenge was getting myself close enough. Staying dry and clean was out of the question–but that’s part of the fun! Balance is key when photographing something so small with a macro lens, in my case the Canon 100 f2.8 IS L.

When you are up close and absorbed in making an interesting image, it is very possible to falter and reach out to steady yourself. I am prone ot tipping over in these situations. This is not a good idea in the rainforest! You have no idea what might be hiding at the bottom of the grass that is clinging to your calves. Or, what might be fast asleep on the slippery moss of the tree trunk you grab onto.

Red for Toxic!

Not to mention, be careful not to touch these little guys. The skin of a poison dart frog is toxic. Interestingly, this toxicity is not present in frogs born in captivity, leading scientists to believe the toxins form from the diet they consume in the wild. Which is where they belong. These frogs certainly put me through my paces. I tried to keep up as they squeezed between entwined vines, slipped under decaying leaves or hid on the underside of wide grass blades. It requires some elaborate body contortions to get your camera into a position low enough for a capture. With these contortions, there was no relying on tripods or monopods for stability. The pre-storm skies created further challenges with light, already in short supply under the rainforest canopy. I was pushing the ISO to 6400 and using a shallow DOF, making shooting conditions less than optimal for this subject matter.

Still, I had an absolute blast mucking about and talking quietly to coax one of these little ruby-red jewels to look me in the eyes!

The post Photographing the Strawberry Poison Dart Frog appeared first on NJ Wight.

In the 1960’s, Kenya was home to over 20,000 black rhinos. By 1980 there were less than 300 black rhinos remaining. Thanks to dedicated anti-poaching teams, education programs, and habitat protection, the numbers are rising. Today, Keyna is estimated to have more than 900 black rhinos, and 255 of those live under protection in Lewa.

On my recent visit I was delighted to see strong numbers of both white and black rhinos. The highlight, however, was meeting a resident black rhino named Elvis. My encounter with Elvis was highly unusual. Black rhinos are not known to be laid back and so, when Elvis dropped by to have a scratch on our bumper, it was indeed a surprise! But Elvis has a very special background and his casual approach to the truck was friendly and relaxed–albeit, a little itchy!

Meet Elvis!

Elvis was the third or fourth calf born to Mawinga (translated: Cloud) in the Lewa Conservancy. Sadly, Malingwa was blind and unable to defend her claves, she lost them to predation from lions and leopard. With rhino numbers under such pressure, losing calves was tragic for all involved. So, when Mawingu gave birth again, the park rangers removed her calf and raised him by hand to ensure his safety. They went on to raise another 4 or 5 of Mawinga’s calves over the next decade, until she passed away.

The Early Years for Elvis

Elvis (and his subsequent siblings) was well cared for, but he was not treated as a pet. His caregivers took him for daily walks in his future territory. They made regular visits the dung sites of the resident wild rhinos–the ultimate communication hub! Think of these piles of poop as the social media network of the wild rhino population. The chemicals in dung and urine communicates important information to other rhinos. Here, Elvis would sniff through the droppings, familiarize himself with the community comings and goings, rub his feet through the dung heap and leave his scent to introduce himself to his wild cousins. Ensuring scent is circulated is a very necessary part of preparing a rhino to return to a wild community.

At about the age of four, Elvis was successfully re-introduced to the wild and began his life as a young male black rhino. But for several years after he would return to see is Ranger friends, wandering right through the home of Ian and Jane Craig, the founders of the conservancy. On one special occasion he made an attempt crawl right into bed! To hear Jane tell the story, the bed collapsed under his weight and Elvis just lay there, moved the blankets around with his horn and created a little nest to enjoy a nap. Apparently, it has been years since he has returned. As the dominate male in his territory, he is quite busy marking his scent and keeping track of his females.

An Itchy Elvis

We had stoped to watch Elvis walk along the worn path seemingly heading down to the waterhole. But he  decided to take a small detour for some self-cares! Clearly unconcerned about our truck and recognizing our ranger, he approached the back end to take care of a little dry skin that was bothering him. For the next minute or two he very casually began to run his horn and forehead over the back bumber! For a rhino, his movements seemed quite gentle. But when an animal that can weigh up to 1400 KG gives himself a little scratch, well, it does put the suspension to the test!

While seeing our familiar ranger and truck posed no threat to him, he casually approached to give himself a scratch! But as is always good practise, no matter how relaxed or familiar a wild animal might seem, it is best to move our of their way. In our case, we did to want to startle him by jerking into gear and abruptly ending his massage, so we just slowly rolled a little froward. This proved to be just enough to divert Elvis to the other side where he could continue to wander the path down for a drink and a nice rub in the mud!

We continued to spend time with him for an other 20 minutes as he drank, scratched and surveyed his kingdom! This was definitely a rhino encounter I will long remember. Thank you Elvis–long live the King of Lewa.

One more thing…

Thank you very much for visiting my blog. I support myself as an artist with my photography and writing. If you enjoy my content and would like more, please consider supporting me on KO-FI.COM  Becoming a member of the Armchair Wanderers or one of The Wild Bunch will give you access to exclusive member only content-including behind-the-scene safari updates from my travels. Thank you for your ongoing encouragement and promoting my passion.

The post A Black Rhino Named Elvis appeared first on NJ Wight.

BUY SOME MILK!

ADOPT AN ELEPHANT

Just one last thing before you go…

Thank you very much for visiting my website. I support myself as an artist solely with my photography and writing. If you enjoy the content I create and share,  please consider supporting me on KO-FI.COM  Joining the Armchair Wanderers or The Wild Bunch will give you access to exclusive member-only content-including behind-the-scene safari shenanigans live from my travels. Thank you for your ongoing encouragement and for promoting passion.

Cheers!

NJ

The post The Reteti Elephant Sanctuary appeared first on NJ Wight.

---

Wild! Adventure: A 10-Day Kenya Safari with NJ Wight

Join me for a fabulous small group, 10 or 11 night safari in wild Kenya! I have spent over 350 nights across seven countries in Africa — all of them remarkable. But there are very good reasons I have returned to Kenya multiple times. To me, it is the Africa of the imagination. (Make sure to read Masai Mara Musings for more.) Everything I imagined an African safari could be, I have found in Kenya. Wild and wide-open spaces, gorgeous light, big skies, a blanket of stars, friendly people and more wildlife than I have seen anywhere else. It is my happy place and I cannot wait to show it to you! We are going to have a Wild! time.

Visit Kenya’s Best Wildlife Parks and Conservancies!

We will spend our time looking for and watching wildlife, birds and reptiles in various National Parks and private conservancies, including the exceptional Mara Conservancies. (Itineraries vary slightly. Not all trips visit the same camps.) Tourism in the conservancies is limited in to a small number of camps. The very low ratio of game viewing vehicles to land area is aimed at ensuring the best possible experience of wildlife viewing while minimizing environmental impact. In addition, the communities living in the conservancies financially benefit from your stay. If an African safari is on your bucket-list–now is the time! The trip price includes all internal flights, accommodations, meals, drinks, guides, hosting, conservancy fees, activities, airport transfers etc. (international flights and trip insurance NOT included) and range from $14,000 – $18,000 USD per person. Rates vary depending on season and itinerary locations. )

NJ Wight Private Safari

I also accommodate private group trips. If you are looking for an exclusive safari for a special occasion, interested in exploring with your family or you have a special group of friends and would like me to organize and guide you on your trip of a lifetime, please get in touch and we can start planning!

If you are interested in further details about travel, please click here and contact me for additional information.

Please note: If you would like to add your name to the cancellation list for 2026 and 2027, please contact me.

If you are unable to travel on safari, but would like to join me virtually, consider my ko-fi.com/njwight memberships! 

Safari Dates

2027

January 28, 2027 – PRIVATE
July 02, 2027 – SOLD OUT
July 15, 2027– SOLD OUT
Oct 24, 2027  – SOLD OUT

2026

January 21 – 31st – SOLD OUT
February 2 – 11th – SOLD OUT
July 5 – 14th – SOLD OUT
Oct 30 – Nov 12th – PRIVATE

2025

January 15 – 25th – SOLD OUT
June 29 – July 9th – SOLD OUT
July 11 – 20th – SOLD OUT
Oct 28 – Nov. 7th – SOLD OUT

2024

January 27 – February 6th – SOLD OUT
February 7 – 18 – PRIVATE
June 19th – 29th – SOLD OUT
September 13th – 22nd – SOLD OUT

2023

February 25 – March 6th – SOLD OUT
July 8th – July 17th – SOLD OUT
October 12 – October 21 – SOLD OUT
October 23 – November 1 – SOLD OUT

Read comments from former Guests

From Margaret P, repeat guest.

All my life I had dreamed of Africa and all the wildlife that seemed to be too beautiful to be true.  Finally, on  my 70th birthday I decided to go on a safari. I contacted NJ Wight knowing that she was an amazing wildlife photographer and conservationist. NJ Wight proved to be a great Safari guide – everything from selecting the camps to making sure we all had an awesome camp experience.  We spent eight nights in two different camps in the Maasai Mara, in Kenya. The tents were luxurious with top quality beds and indoor plumbing with hot water. The food was first class, crafted by a talented chef and his assistants. And the animals! Oh the animals! From the very first to the very last game drive I was awe struck by the vast variety and abundance of animals in the Mara. The experienced drivers were like magicians – able to spot animals where all I could see were a few bushes. We saw and photographed the all big and small game, and they’re young, of my childhood imagination. It was a trip of a lifetime – and every night I go to sleep thinking of wonderful Kenya. My dream did come true!”

From Mary Beth M

A safari with NJ Wight means you will learn so much about the animals and the people of the area. The trips are highly organized and fun with impeccable choice of camps.  I want to go back again……and again. 

From Sheryl Berwick, repeat guest.

Traveling on safari is a bucket list destination that is guaranteed to impress… When planning your trip of a lifetime, put your faith in Nancie. An award-winning wildlife photographer with dozens of excursions, hundreds of game drives and countless nights under the stars throughout the African bush, you will be well served to take advantage of Nancie’s experience and trust her to leverage both her familiarity with different regions and network of local contacts to ensure that every detail is considered with the goal of making your trip an absolute success.

From Kevin M, repeat guest.

While a return trip anywhere provides lofty expectations to meet the fond memories of previous journeys, our second adventure to Kenya under Nancie’s experienced guidance not only satisfied these expectations, but exceeded them.

Our accommodations in the conservancies balanced comfort with an authenticity you would expect from being in the heart of the Maasai Mara wilderness.  Food and beverages were wonderful and catered to every dietary requirement.  The wildlife sightings were abundant and we enjoyed all manner of behavior… the majestic presence of elephants, the playful whimsy of lion cubs, the drama of a leopard protecting its kill… and countless times the camera was put aside in favour of the cell phone for photography, as the animals were too close for the zoom lens! Bottom line, whether you choose to go with family, friends, your partner… or alone… you must simply go

From Lynn F, repeat guest.

“I have now experienced two safari trips hosted by NJ Wight and perhaps the greatest endorsement I can offer is that I am already planning for my third Kenya safari with Nancie! From the moment we decided to go on this amazing adventure, Nancie guided us all the way, starting with helpful hints on what/how to pack, ideal tourist destinations in Nairobi, and photography tips. Because she has been to Africa numerous times, we trusted Nancie’s experience and leadership as to how the trip should unfold. Nancie was our guide on the ground and, with her warm, welcoming (and fun!) manner, we could not have had a better host!

The experience of being in the bush, with the animals so close, was unbelievable. Our guides  seemed to know exactly where to find a den of lions and herds of elephants, and they always did their best to accommodate what we wanted to see, i.e. an exciting cheetah chase or lions “making love!” I am proud of the fact that, on both trips, I saw the “Big Five” – which is highly unusual! Most important is the fact that I always felt safe, even when a leopard walked directly under our jeep and an elephant tried to engage us all in a staring contest (hint: the elephant should always win!). People call it “the trip of a lifetime” but the reality is, once you have experienced Africa, you will want to return! And having Nancie as your guide is the perfect way to travel!”

From Angie D

“NJ Wight was an amazing safari guide — very knowledgeable about all the varied wildlife we saw (and we saw so many animals!), and she curated the BEST camps and areas to visit on this Kenya safari. Also, having a smaller/more intimate group was very comfortable, the lodging was beautiful and the vehicles were roomy. It had been years since I had taken photographs and I had bought a new mirrorless digital camera for my safari, and NJ has great photography tips to get gorgeous shots!”

Take a Ride in the Land Rover

Wondering what it is like to riding in a Land Rover out on safari? Well, it is hard to put into words, but occasionally I take my hand off my Canon 5D MIV and grab my iPhone to capture some shaky safari snippets. Watch the video at the top of this page for a compilation of moments from my happy place. 

The post Join NJ Wight on Safari appeared first on NJ Wight.

A mountainous marvel of animal engineering, the rhinoceros is like no other. Leathery and lined, massive and muscled, his noble horn a cautionary prelude to a quiet, determined stare. The rhino is at once, a prehistoric relic and a 21st century icon.

Rhinoceros Poaching Statistics

I cannot imagine a world without rhinoceros. In South Africa, where approximately 80% of the world rhino population lives, rhino poaching continues at a rate of almost two a day. While the numbers are finally on the decline, there are still far too many killings. (http://www.savetherhino.org)

Rhinoceros I Have Known

In the past 13 years I have encountered wild-living Rhinosceritidae more than 20 times in three countries. Each and every time I have wondered if it would be my last encounter. As a visual storyteller,  my goal is to make connections with the sentient beings around us to invoke a passionate awakening in the soul. I push myself to make images that inspire imagination where, in a single moment, the heart might connect with the mind and lead one to think and act in new ways–ways that could end the senseless killing of the earth’s wildlife. The senseless killing of the rhinoceros

Until we truly understand and embrace that we are all connected, we will continue to lose species with no clear understanding of the consequences. So, on this World Rhino Day 2020, I fondly look back and speak to you through the very first rhinoceros I ever photographed. From these very first sightings, years before wildlife photography would become my calling, I was entranced by these massive animals with their magnificent facial ornaments and dinosaur-like bodies. I hope they might spark your imagination and stir your sense of wonder. These images capture but a moment of their glorious story, a centuries-old tale that seems destined for a tragic ending unless we stop the senseless slaughter.

You Never Forget Your First Rhinoceros

I was introduced to my very first black rhinos in the Phinda, South Africa in 2008. Being chased by storms and heading back towards camp, our ranger suddenly throttled the Land Rover over the ditch. He headed off-road, bouncing us straight towards the blackening skies and…two black rhinos! We followed at a safe distance as they grazed towards the hillside. For a brief moment the sun broke through the ominous clouds, spilling a brilliant rainbow behind them. This was truly an African pot of gold. They turned towards us, halting our progress, allowing me to quickly capture one of my very first rhino photos I call Pair of Blacks. (Or, for those of you with loftier imaginations, The Two-headed Rhino.)

The black rhino has a hooked lip and is slightly smaller than this relative the white rhino. They are browsers and the hooked lip allows them to pull leaves off trees and bushes to supplement their diet of grass.

A Rhino Encounter of a Special Kind

The following day would bring a rhinoceros encounter of a very close kind! Coming up on four grazing white rhinos on the roadside, we pulled over to enjoy their company. They were relaxed and intent on grazing. Unlike the black rhino with its hooked lip, the white rhino has a squared-off lip and relies on grazing.

I was sitting up on the back bench the truck, my boot propped up on the open side, when a very calm and massive male began wandering towards me. Coming closer, eyes on mine, his impressive horn dipped well into the minimum focus distance of my 70-300 F4-5.6. He stood still, then sniffed my boot. Seemingly satisfied with my hygiene he slowly backed away and returned to the tall grass on the side of the ditch.  It’s a wonder I had the presence of mind to hit the shutter. While the image is somewhat soft, it serves me well to bring back the vivid memory of this magical encounter.

A Wildlife Icon

The  rhinoceros is the second largest land mammal in the world–it is a symbol of our wild planet–and it is disappearing at an alarming rate. Of the 5 species of rhinos left on the planet, 3 are now critically endangered, while 2 are vulnerable to extinction. While habitat loss threatens so many of the planets species, the rhinos biggest threat is poaching. Rhino horn is in high demand in the thriving black market in the illegal trade in animal parts. Rhino horn is currently selling for upwards of $50,000 a kilo on the thriving black market in animal parts. We are decimating one of the worlds iconic species to use in mythical potions. Horn is not medicine and we must stop the senseless killing. Education and awareness is vital if we are to secure a future where these extraordinary animals continue to share our planet.

One more thing…

Thank you very much for visiting my blog. I support myself as an artist with my photography and writing. If you enjoy my content and would like more, please consider supporting me on KO-FI.COM  Becoming a member of the Armchair Wanderers or one of The Wild Bunch will give you access to exclusive member only content-including behind-the-scene safari updates from my travels. Thank you for your ongoing encouragement and promoting my passion.

The post World Rhinoceros Day 2020 appeared first on NJ Wight.

It’s time to get serious about wildlife crime.

Some nights I lie awake remembering the moments I have spent in the company of Africa’s extraordinary wildlife. My mind drifts to a darker place and I can’t help wonder if the animals I have photographed are still alive? I wonder if they are hunting, grazing, mating, playing, fighting. Being. I lie awake wishing it was all a very bad dream…

Elephants, lions, rhinoceros, vultures, apes, wild dogs…the list goes on. They are disappearing under our watch, slaughtered for body parts to be carved into fashion accessories or sipped in magic elixirs. They are being hunted for their meat and traded for money, trapped and sold for our entertainment and amusement. Black market animal trafficking is now estimated at a staggering 7-9 BILLION dollars, not far behind drugs, weapons and human trafficking.

Sadly, the numbers do not lie. Killing animals is BIG business and we need to get serious about wildlife crime.

Elephants

Africa has lost 99% of its elephant population since the 1930’s. There were approximately 10 million elephants in the 1930’s and the African Wildlife Foundation now estimates the population closer to 470,000 individuals. While the elephant numbers dwindle, the price of ivory in China does anything but. Since 2010 the price of ivory has increased as much as tenfold.

Lions

Around the time I was born, there were an estimated 100,000 lions roaming in Africa. There are approximately 20,000 remaining. The decline is staggering.  The death of one mature male lion can have significant impact on a local population. (See The Sad Story of Lion Math) I cannot imagine a world without lions, and yet, it may happen in my lifetime.

Rhinoceros

I have been lucky to photograph both the black and white rhinoceros at a time when it is facing the most intense threat of all African wildlife. Rhino horn is more valuable on the black market than cocaine and diamonds. At $60,000 kilo, it is by far the most valuable commodity in illicit wildlife trafficking business. In South Africa the penalty for trafficking in small amounts of cocaine starts at 5 years in prison. For rhino poaching the fine is a very affordable $14k. While overall poaching numbers for rhino in Africa have declined over the past few years, the numbers are still a serious threat to the population. There were 750 slaughtered rhinos reported in 2019. According to savetherhino.org, between 2010 and 2019 there were 9441 recorded killings–that is 3 rhinos poached every day.

1 every 8 hours…

Wild Dog

The African wild dog is considered one of the most endagered animals in the world. A pack of dogs will traverse a range as big as 900 square miles. These nomadic pack animals are living on diminishing land parcels areas as human population take over more space. This has resulted in hunting challenges and inevitably, deadly conflict with farmers and herders. The reduced roaming area has led to a weakened gene pool for reproduction. Closer contact with domestic animals has introduced rabies and distemper into the wild dog population, killing large numbers of dogs.

Serious About Wildlife Crime: Humans

“Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” ‑Nelson Mandella

It is really is up to all of us…

The post Getting Serious About Wildlife Crime appeared first on NJ Wight.

White Rhinos on Ol’ Pejeta

There is also a growing population of Southern White Rhinos on the conservancy. White rhinos were near extinction at the end of the 19th century, with less than 50 individuals remaining in South Africa. Through tremendous conservation efforts, the population is now over 20,000 across east and southern Africa. Ol’ Pejeta is home to 30. We were very fortunate on this trip to see 5 different white rhinos, including a young calf grazing with both parents.

Rest in Peace Sudan

The conservancy was also home to Sudan, the last male northern white rhino who became known around the world and who died on March 20, 2018. Extinct in the wild, Sudan was one of 4 of the world’s last 7 northern white rhinos that came to live in Ol’ Pejeta in September 2009, arriving from a zoo in the Chezch Republic. Now, only two females remain and the conservancy vets, along with the zoo, are trying to develop a technique for in vitro fertilization–something that has not been previously done with rhinos. (You can read about the efforts here.)

The Rhino Cemetery

During my last visit in 2018, on a grey and rainy afternoon, I visited the rhino cemetery to pay my respects to the rhinos who rest there. I had not visited this sacred place on previous trips to the conservancy and it was quite an emotionaly charged experience. Fifteen graves are marked with headstones and bronze plaques, paying tribute to the lost lives of these threatened animals.

Amongst the group is the resting place of Ishirini, a female black rhino who, in 2016, was killed at the age of 20. She was 12 months pregnant when she was found writhing in pain, horns cut off. She did not survive.

The rhinos that rest here range in age and include both males and females. Many were found shot dead, horns removed. Max, age 6, was slaughtered even though he underwent dehorning procedures meant to protect him from poaching. He was found dead with his very small, regrown horns cut off.

Horn is Not Medicine

The graves of these magnificent and peaceful animals serve as a painful reminder of the need to continue to fight against poaching and trafficking in animal parts. Rhino is readily available on the black market and sells for $60k a kilo. It remains in high demand, especially from Vietnam. Conservation efforts continue, but so does the investment in poaching for black market profits. If it doesn’t stop soon, we risk losing Africa’s two remaining rhino species.

Rhino horn is not medicine. Rhino horn is not an aphrodisiac. It is keratin — just like our finger nails. It belongs no where but on a rhino.

The post The Rhinos of Ol’ Pejeta: Rest in Peace appeared first on NJ Wight.