This is Max, the fifth calf born to Mawingo. While on safari, the zoo groups are given the unique opportunity to meet Max and his keepers to help bottle feed him and have the opportunity to learn from his keepers. Max's keepers must remain with him 24 hours a day, even sleeping with him in his nighttime quarters. Keepers wander with Max through the conservancy during the day and help him to learn about his environment and prepare him for the day he is to be released back into the wild.

With only 2,000 black rhino left in the world, it is a daunting task to have the responsibility of caring for this young calf. There is immense pressure to save the calf from all sorts of dangers, including an attack from lion. One can only imagine the heartbreak that would occur at the death of a rhino that was in one's care for years. Once Max reaches maturity, he will likely be moved to a nearby sanctuary, as males are extremely territorial. His older sibling, Omni, was moved to Il' Ngwesi group ranch where he now resides under the protection of the Maasai community. This is perfect rhino habitat, but rhino disappeared from this land in the 1970's due to poaching. Only now, after years of forming a relationship with Lewa to assist in wildlife tourism, is it safe to begin to restock these areas.

Rhino sightings at Lewa are a common occurrence. We often have counted dozens of rhinos just on our morning game drives. It is a wonderful experience to see rhino interacting with one another in a natural setting.

--Patty Pearthree, BFR Coordinator and Trip Leader