A white rhino being moved to a new reserve in the Northern Cape made World Rhino Day unforgettable by unexpectedly charging a bakkie.
Screenshot from Yusuf (@Abramjee) X post
According to IOL, As the rhino stepped out of the trailer, what seemed like a calm moment quickly turned chaotic. Instead of walking away peacefully, the animal reversed down the ramp, suddenly turned around, and began ramming the trailer with its horn. It then turned its attention to a nearby bakkie, repeatedly slamming into it with such force that the vehicle looked as if it might tip over. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident, although the bakkie suffered significant damage.
Farmer’s vehicle attacked by a rhino in the Northern Cape. pic.twitter.com/FvqzZfCkHr
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) September 21, 2025
Onlookers reacted with surprise. One woman could be heard saying, “Sorry about your bakkie,” while a man replied, “It’s okay,” just as the rhino continued its aggressive charge. The wildlife relocation team, including Willie Viljoen from Willie Viljoen Wildbedryf who shared the footage, admitted they were taken off guard. White rhinos are typically calm, especially compared to their black rhino counterparts, so this level of aggression was not expected. According to Viljoen, although rhinos sometimes bump into vehicles, what happened here was highly unusual. However, such behaviour is a risk that comes with working closely with wild animals.
The incident took place on World Rhino Day, observed annually on September 22. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about rhino conservation and the ongoing efforts to protect these endangered animals. The theme for this year is “Building a Future for Rhinos.”
In South Africa, rhino populations continue to face challenges, especially from poaching. The number of white rhinos has declined from approximately 17,464 to 15,752 in recent years. On a more positive note, the population of black rhinos has seen a slight increase due to intensified conservation efforts. Measures such as dehorning, increased security, and better management of wildlife reserves have all contributed to this progress. Rhinos are a vital part of South Africa’s tourism industry and remain a key species in the effort to protect the country’s natural heritage.
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