Maalum

An opaque pink sunset sets the scene on the African plain as a newborn baby Southern White Rhino calf stands by his mom quietly watching.

Maalum means "special" in Swahili. 

In the heart of the African bush, under the watchful gaze of a four-week-old calf and his mother, the symphony of nature's distant cries painted a mesmerising backdrop. Two solitary rhinos, among the planet's most endangered beings, stood in an ethereal silence, occasionally pierced by the haunting calls of passing eagles. The calf, ever-curious, turned to us, a novel presence in its world, prompting a hesitant gallop, only to halt midway, its innocence yet to grasp the threat we posed. His mother, in her own ponderous way, approached the calf, gently coaxing him to follow. They pivoted, and the gentle murmur of the light breeze seemed to nod in harmony with their cautious steps, leading them back into the protective embrace of the deeper bush, fading from view.

We had been silently observing this captivating scene for some time. The calf's inquisitiveness, combined with its gentle apprehension while nestled beside its mother, was nothing short of enchanting. It was evident that this young rhino had not crossed paths with humans before, as his curiosity nearly brought him into our midst. His departure brought forth a sobering reality: the existential threat these magnificent creatures face from our own species.

Scenes like this etch themselves into one's memory. It was a stroke of fate that led us to this mother and calf, hidden away from the well-trodden paths. Even our seasoned guide had not encountered this particular pair before. What made it all the more remarkable was that this mother still possessed her horn, a rarity in today's world. Horned rhinos, once commonplace, have dwindled due to the relentless poaching driven by the demand for their keratin in Asian markets. To protect them from extinction, most rhinos are now dehorned, their precious appendages rendered useless for concoctions long debunked by science.

This poignant scene painted a stark picture of the foreboding future awaiting these magnificent creatures, once part of a robust and resilient population.

White Rhino Faces Extinction

The Southern white rhino, despite being a relatively abundant species with around 16,000 individuals, faces the looming danger of extinction. In stark contrast, the Northern white rhino is in a critical state, with only two individuals remaining, both residing at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya.

As for their habitats, the Southern white rhino primarily inhabits South Africa, while smaller translocated populations can be found in Kenya, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

Raw Africa Collection

Welcome to Africa - the wise, the restless, and the life giving.

This soulful land of dreamers gives rise to the underbelly of a beautiful, gentle beat that is only heard by those who listen for it. This photographic journey explores, profiles, and captures what I hope is the heart and soul of Africa's true wilderness kingdom. From its deep bush to its dry savannah and desert, Africa remains a place where life is represented by timeless vistas that are distilled into moments to treasure.