The largest mammal on mama earth next to elephant is the White Rhino which is one of the five family members of rhino existing in the world. The scientific name of the White Rhino is Ceratotherium simum which comes from the Greek words “cerato”, “thorium” and “simum” meaning “A flat-nosed wild beast with horns”.

Southern White Rhinoceros at Botswana

The white rhino consists of two subspecies: the southern white rhino, with an estimated 17,460 wild-living animals at the end of 2007 (IUCN 2008), and the almost extinct northern white rhino. The natural habitats of the white rhino are the Savannah grasslands and the tropical shrub lands of Africa. The average weight of the white rhino may be from 1,800 – 2,700 kg (4,000 – 6,000 lbs) with the average height from 1,5 – 1,8 m (5 -6 ft). The approximate size of the Anterior Horn length of the White Rhino is 37 inches and the Posterior Horn length may be up to 22 inches. White Rhinos may run with the speed of 50 km/h and they are considered semi-territorial and more social than the Black Rhino. Male White Rhinos are mainly solitary and territorial while the female White Rhinos are more social. White Rhinos are mainly grazers and they graze during the morning and evening and sleep or wallow during the afternoon. The female White rhino becomes able to be pregnant at the age of 6 years. White Rhinos can live for 50 years.

African White Rhino - Ceratotherium simum ( Nakuru - Africa )

The sexual mating of the couple is a complicated task. The male White Rhino stays beyond the point where the female acts aggressively and will give out a call when approaching her. The male chases and or blocks the way of the female while squealing or wailing loudly if the female tries to leave his territory. When ready to mate the female curls its tail and gets into a stiff stance during the half hour copulation. Breeding pairs stay together between 5–20 days before they part their separate ways. Gestation occurs around 16–18 months. The female White Rhino gives birth to a single calf which usually weighs between 40 and 65 kg (88 and 140 lb).

Northern White Rhino the rarest

The Northern White Rhino is rarest of its kind. The continuous war situation in the African countries like Uganda, Chad, Sudan, Congo and the Central African Republic has eliminated the Northern White Rhino and now hardly 8 to 10 Northern White Rhinos are existing in the world. The last surviving population of wild northern white rhinos is kept at the Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The fully captive northern white rhino individuals consist of only three animals which are maintained in two zoological institutions of the U.S.A. and the Czech Republic. A pair of the Northern White Rhino is also kept at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

You’d be excused for thinking ‘how can an almost tropical island like New Zealand have penguins’, but once again New Zealand surprises everyone by having their own Native Penguin.  We call it ‘HOIHO’ which in Maori means ‘noise maker’ due to its rather shrill vocalization.  Hoiho is also known as the Yellow-eyed Penguin, which can be found along the South East of the South Island, smaller islands off Stewart Island, as well as Stewart Island itself, and on the Auckland and Campbell Islands of the New Zealand Sub-Antarctic.

Hoiho: The Yellow-eyed Penguin

The Hoiho is a ‘endangered’ species and several conservation programs are in place to protect and help numbers of these wonderful birds climb in the wild.  I was lucky enough to see two Hoiho in the wild during a recent trip to The Catlins in the South Island.  Viewing was strictly from a hide building on the ridge of a cliff overlooking pristine water and a beach.  Well hidden from view we didn’t have to wait long before the first penguin emerged rather clumsily from the water’s edge and made its way up the beach where it sat and preened itself.  A mere few minutes later it was joined by a second Hoiho.  We couldn’t believe our luck.  We had been told there were Hoiho in this area but the normally shy Penguins don’t always arrive on cue and where they are supposed to turn up, so we lowered our voices as we whispered our ‘oohs and aaahs’ at the sight of these amazing birds.  The Hoiho is considered the world’s rarest penguin (with a population of an estimated 4000), and may also be the most ancient of living penguins, so these precious moments watching these two was very special.

HOIHO – The New Zealand Yellow-eyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes)

The Hoiho is a fairly large penguin, about 65-80cm long (26-32 in) and weighs between 5-8 kg depending on which time of year it is.  Heavier before moulting than afterwards. The males are larger than the females but both have pale yellow heads, with paler yellow iris.  The chin and throat are brownish-black.  And off course the distinctive bright yellow ‘band’ running from its eyes around the back of the head.  The juvenile has a grayer head with no band and their eyes have grey iris (adult plumage is achieved at 14 – 16 months of age).

The Hoiho are relatively long living penguins, some living to 20 years of age, with the males generally living longer than the female.  These birds usually nest in the forest or scrub, among Native Flax and Lupin which are on slopes or in gullies.  Sometimes they’ll nest on the shore itself, facing the sea.  Although a group of 4 to 6 may come ashore together, the Hoiho keep to themselves while nesting and choose nest sites out of sight of each other. Pairs form long term partnerships after they reach the breeding age of 3-4 years.   The incubation duties are shared by both adults after the nest site is selected in August and the eggs are laid in September.  Incubation period is between 39-51 days and there are normally 2 eggs.  For the first six weeks after hatching the chicks are guarded during the day by one parent while the other is at sea feeding.  The foraging adult returns at least daily to feed the chicks and relieve the partner.  After the chicks are six weeks old, both parents will go to sea to supply food for their off spring who are at this stage growing rapidly (but still covered in brown downy feathers).  The chicks usually fledge in Mid February and will be totally independent from that time onwards.  The fledglings will weigh between 5 and 6 kg by then.

The Maori Call this Penguin the Hoiho Because They are so Noisy

The Hoiho will forage between 7 and 13 km off shore (that’s about 4-8 miles) and will travel an average 17 km away from the nesting site.  The birds will leave at dawn and return the same evening while raising chicks but will spend 2-3 days at sea at other times.  The average dive is 34 m (112 ft).  Their diet is made up of fish mainly with cephalopods such as arrow squid for a tasty treat, and these penguins will pursues prey in 20-60m deep dives.

An onland reserve protecting more than 10% of the mainland population at Long Point in The Catlins (South Island) was established in 2007 by the Department of Conservation and the ‘Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust’ and our famous Hoiho appears on the reverse side of the New Zealand $5 note, as well as in numerous television advertisements and print advertising. To see these gorgeous and unique Hoiho, the Yellow-eyed Penguin in the wild will rank high up on the ‘most favorite moments’ in the minds of those who have been lucky enough to see them.

About the Author :

Monica Toretto is a writer, painter, photographer and blogger. She lives with her two young sons in Invercargill near Bluff. She has travelled widely in Canada and the US and worked as a veterinary technician before returning to New Zealand. Her work has appeared in several magazines in the UK and New Zealand. She has also authored a book of poetry and photography called ‘Words’.