The Brave Wildebeest
To protect our Rhinos, I will refrain from disclosing the location.
I have enjoyed capturing many memorable moments in nature; however, only a few stand out; I would like to share some of them with you in this series. This image is one of them.
This happened way back in 2014, whilst waiting for action at a waterhole. I planned to spend
the entire day next to a mud-pool of water as it was significantly hot outside in the middle of summer.
Most animals covered themselves in mud and spent the day lying in the muddy water to cool themselves down. I, however, had to make do with a portable fan inside my car. Towards my right, a herd of Wildebeest minded their own business, trying to cool themselves down. Nothing interesting happened, and I nearly fell asleep when a herd (crash) of Rhinos arrived to enjoy the comfort of cooling down in the pool of mud.
There were three calves amongst them. The adults who made themselves comfortable in the mud took no notice of the somewhat playful youngsters. The youngsters were kicking up dust and chasing everything that was moving, birds included. One of the Wildebeest got up
and looked irritable. He did not enjoy this kind of behavior of the rhino calves. After a view warning sign for the calves to stop, he suddenly charged one of the older Rhino calves in full force attached the Rhino Calf.
The adult mother, Rhino, noticed this and had to put a stop to it. I thought the Wildebeest would back off once the powerful mother got involved, but to my surprise, the Wildebeest carried on fighting, now with the adult Rhino. He didn't stop attacking her and gave it everything he had! This fight between the Rhino and the Wildebeest lasted for quite a while.
Eventually, the mother Rhino pushed the Wildebeest into the bushes; he finally gave up and casually walked back to his herd.
What a sighting! Unfortunately, the light was already harsh; however, I managed to capture this exciting moment of the bravest Wildebeest I have ever come across on camera, and I am delighted to share.
