Desert-adapted Black Rhinoceros in Damaraland, Northwestern Namibia

Desert-adapted black rhino among Euphorbia Bushes

Damaraland, Northwestern Namibia

Damaraland in Northwestern Namibia, lies just East of Skeleton Coast National Park and receives very little rainfall. Yet this surreal basalt landscape is home to nearly 70% of the world’s population of free-ranging black rhinos such as this one in the Torra conservancy.

With limited food and water in this environment, rhinos feed mostly on the drought resistant Euphorbia damarana bush which survives well in this harsh, arid, rocky terrain. Euphorbia produces thick, milky sap toxic to most species but rhinos, gemsbok and kudus eat it without ill-effects.

If it weren’t difficult enough for these rhinos to survive, even in this remote location poaching remains a threat. This rhino has been dehorned to increase its chances of survival. Rhinos in the Torra conservancy are protected by a dedicated group of individuals who look over this population. Photo © copyright by Dr. Edward Mikol.

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