UPFRONT

Rhino sees red

During a recent visit to Etosha, we went to the Okaukuejo waterhole one evening. There were four rhinos there, including a cow with a calf. Another rhino bull arrived and stormed the group. He fought one of the bulls from the herd, and when this bull left, he attacked the cow and her calf.

We eventually left, but as soon as the sun was up, we set off to see what had happened. Only the angry bull was there. He was injured and still in a rage, charging at everything around him. The calf was dead. When he finally left, the cow returned and just stood there. It was distressing to watch. What might have prompted the aggression of the bull?

RIECKIE HANSEN Wildlife expert LD VAN ESSEN says: This is not normal dominant behaviour. I spoke to veterinarians and experts, and the consensus is that the bull must have been trying to climb the social