16 top tips from Bryce Clemence, rhino guardian and anti-poaching team leader in Save Valley Conservancy, Zimbabwe
1. Rhinos will either run away from you or charge you.
2. Rhinos do not give warnings or make mock charges – when a rhino makes a decision, it always follows through.
3. Rhinos can cover 30m, accelerating from 0–55kmph, in just three seconds – do not make the mistake of thinking them heavy and slow. They will come at you flat out.
4. Don’t panic and run – you cannot outpace a rhino. And, if you are in a group, don’t scatter – try to stick together. Make an escape plan before you approach and stick to it.
5. Know which direction the wind is blowing at all times – be sure the rhino cannot smell you. Don’t forget, the wind direction can change.
6. As you approach a rhino, make sure you identify all suitable escape trees near you (within three seconds’ distance) at all times, just in case you get into trouble.
7. Never leave yourself with no cover – move from tree to tree.
8. You have just three seconds to get out of a rhino’s path, so move sideways, not backwards.
9. Move behind a tree – to the ‘blind side’ – and then climb.
10. Choose a tree with a girth of 30cm diameter or more and climb to a height of six feet, higher if you can manage it, as quickly as you can. Black rhinos stand 1.5m at the shoulder and you need to get above horn height. They can and do look up.
11. Rhinos use all of their senses – hearing and smell – and though they cannot see well, they can detect movement.
12. Make sure your escape tree is sturdy enough – a furious rhino may simply push down a smaller tree.
13. Rhinos will attempt to use their horn to toss you aside. They put their heads down when they run, so the horn is normally at thigh height on the average human and can inflict a terrible wound.
14. The impact of a direct hit at 55kmph can be as dangerous as a blow from the horn. If you are standing, it could break your back.
15. If you have no time to escape, and the rhino is upon you, dive to the ground and lie feet-first toward the rhino. It may miss you or it may trample you, so try to roll out of its way at the last minute.
16. Rhinos may be colour-blind but they react to red and white so avoid wearing these colours.
I hope this helps you to get out of a tight spot – but remember, the trick is to not get into one in the first place.
2. Rhinos do not give warnings or make mock charges – when a rhino makes a decision, it always follows through.
3. Rhinos can cover 30m, accelerating from 0–55kmph, in just three seconds – do not make the mistake of thinking them heavy and slow. They will come at you flat out.
4. Don’t panic and run – you cannot outpace a rhino. And, if you are in a group, don’t scatter – try to stick together. Make an escape plan before you approach and stick to it.
5. Know which direction the wind is blowing at all times – be sure the rhino cannot smell you. Don’t forget, the wind direction can change.
6. As you approach a rhino, make sure you identify all suitable escape trees near you (within three seconds’ distance) at all times, just in case you get into trouble.
7. Never leave yourself with no cover – move from tree to tree.
8. You have just three seconds to get out of a rhino’s path, so move sideways, not backwards.
9. Move behind a tree – to the ‘blind side’ – and then climb.
10. Choose a tree with a girth of 30cm diameter or more and climb to a height of six feet, higher if you can manage it, as quickly as you can. Black rhinos stand 1.5m at the shoulder and you need to get above horn height. They can and do look up.
11. Rhinos use all of their senses – hearing and smell – and though they cannot see well, they can detect movement.
12. Make sure your escape tree is sturdy enough – a furious rhino may simply push down a smaller tree.
13. Rhinos will attempt to use their horn to toss you aside. They put their heads down when they run, so the horn is normally at thigh height on the average human and can inflict a terrible wound.
14. The impact of a direct hit at 55kmph can be as dangerous as a blow from the horn. If you are standing, it could break your back.
15. If you have no time to escape, and the rhino is upon you, dive to the ground and lie feet-first toward the rhino. It may miss you or it may trample you, so try to roll out of its way at the last minute.
16. Rhinos may be colour-blind but they react to red and white so avoid wearing these colours.
I hope this helps you to get out of a tight spot – but remember, the trick is to not get into one in the first place.
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