This Brave Mama Rhino Faces Off Against an Elephant Five Times Their Size

Rhinos are no match in size when compared to elephants. However, when a mother’s instinct kicks in, all bets are off. This video displays the tenacity of rhinos when it comes to protecting their own. Although elephants are not predators, they can certainly intimidate — not just because they tower over other animals, but because they display anger too.

How Do Rhinos Defend Themselves?

Rhinos use their horns to defend themselves and especially their calves. They can get territorial, using their horns to keep threats at bay and they also use them for foraging and digging for water. Unfortunately, poaching is a continuous problem that frequently kills rhinos. Dehorning is a practice that removes their horns but allows them to continue living.  

A mother rhino and her calf like a shadow, knowing it’s protected.©iStock.com/PeterVanDam

It’s a controversial subject as a rhino uses its horn for a variety of reasons. Nevertheless, a study conducted in Namibia proved that black rhinos’ population productivity was not affected by dehorning. Not only is it a helpful practice that reduces poaching, hunting tourism, and live sales, but it has no effect on their causes of death or their lifespans.

Are Elephants Aggressive?

Generally, elephants are quite peaceful. However, like the rhino in this clip, mother elephants get protective when with their calves. When elephants are upset, they may flap their ears or kick up dust. They get protective and display a range of emotions, including anger.

This video starts with a shot of a mother rhino and her calf. They’re walking side by side and there is an elephant in the foreground, quite a way away from the two. The mama rhino has a few scars on her body, telling of her past. The video cuts to another scene when the elephant approaches the duo.

There’s a warthog in the background, minding its own business as the rhino and elephant begin to communicate with their body language. The size difference is impressive. The elephant is more than two times the size of the mama rhino. The video cuts again as the elephant starts flapping its ears, walking menacingly toward the pair.

The mama rhino is having none of it. Size does not matter in this encounter; she is concerned about protecting her calf. She runs up to the elephant and it takes a few steps back in response. They stand off for a few seconds — since both have poor eyesight, they may just be sizing one another up at this point, trying to determine the threat level.

As the video continues, the elephant expresses its emotions by kicking up dust. There’s a second elephant in the background that it may be protecting. The mama rhino is unrelenting and keeps approaching the elephant.

The elephant, almost as if it were being respectful, only takes steps backward while kicking up more dust. Although the elephant dominates by its size alone, it concedes when the mama rhino keeps approaching, as if understanding her intent is not from malice, but from a protective place.

Watch this protective mama rhino as she lets an upset elephant know she means business.The post This Brave Mama Rhino Faces Off Against an Elephant Five Times Their Size appeared first on AZ Animals.