Ceratotherium simum
A peaceful giant
With a weight of more than 3 tons, the white rhinoceros is the heaviest land mammal, after the elephant, and on a par with the hippopotamus. If it seems peaceful, it can nevertheless charge at more than 40 km/h if it feels in danger!
In recent years, rhinos have been the victims of a very strong upsurge in poaching: more than 800 of them are killed each year! It is their horns that are prized, sought after for traditional Chinese medicine, because they are supposed to have medicinal virtues. At this rate, they could disappear from the natural environment within 15 years. This is why the La Barben animal park is mobilizing and supporting the organization “Save The Rhino”.
Four white rhinos live in La Barben, in a vast plain where they cohabit with blue wildebeests and beisa oryx. Maybe you will have the chance to observe them during their mud bath, which they are particularly fond of!
