Reflections
– Natalie Lapides
This is supposed to be a reflection back from the end of the internship, but the way I see it, this internship is a new beginning for me in rhino conservation. I can’t believe how quickly two months went by, and how much I’ve learned in that time. I always cared deeply for the environment and for conservation, but I’ve gained a much deeper appreciation and love for wildlife from this experience. I know I’m not done with rhino conservation, and hope I can return to Africa soon. Looking back over my journal, it is easy to see how much I learned during this time, and it is also fun to see what stood out to me as I wrote.
Something I particularly loved was getting to watch two young calves as they grew up at Entabeni. The calf at the top of the mountain was just a month old when we arrived, and I could not believe how tiny and adorable she was. As the month went by, I watched her become so adventuresome. She played with some older calves, then began chasing guinea fowl, warthogs, and even wildebeest, which were more than twice her size. Her mother was a constant protective presence, and we got to see her protect her baby from another rhino who came a bit too close firsthand. The baby at the bottom of the mountain was three months old when we arrived, almost as tiny and just as adorable as the other baby. We had the opportunity to watch her go from pretending to nibble on grass, imitating her mother but not really eating it, to starting to graze on more tender shoots at her mother’s side. Her curiosity developed, and she amazed me with how much she grew physically during the month.
At Limpopo Lipadi, we were able to track the rhinos with the anti-poaching unit, and observe the rhinos on foot once we found them—a completely new perspective—and witness firsthand the incredible skill of anti-poachers. These men walked at a pace that I would consider brisk while following faint rhino tracks in the sand. They earned so much of my respect, and also taught me so much about rhinos and tracking.
Overall, this experience has been unique, amazing, fun, occasionally sad, and incredibly educational. Though it can be hard to be working towards such abstract and challenging goals, that even made me despondent at times, I was also so inspired by all of the other good people out there working towards the same goals as I was. I intend to continue to write about the plight of rhinos, and hope I will be able to return to Africa in the near future. I leave with amazing photos and memories, new knowledge, and a greater appreciation for both rhinos and the people who protect them, and I am so thankful to have had this opportunity.