Page 29 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 1

ISSUE ONE | JULY/AUG
Rhinoceros (Kifaru)
The Rhinoceros or Rhino is known for its poor eyesight, good
hearing and sense of smell and surprisingly fast speeds while
charging at its foes. The Black Rhino is largely solitary and the
White more sociable as well as being the second largest mammal.
The Rhino is said to have no true natural predators, perhaps except
man who has hunted it to the point of extinction in order to use
its horn for traditional medicine – primarily in Asia. The females
nurture their young for 2-4 years.
The Rhino has been said to be aggressive and short-tempered,
but it’s really more likely to be its protective instinct kicking in, not
wanting harm to come to its young or in the case of the male, it’s
position. The Rhino’s skin is about 1.5cm – 5cm thick, but while it
can protect it from injury, it is very sensitive and prone to irritation
and so has to be looked after through mud wallowing and the
tender ministrations of the tick bird which helps pick ticks off the
Rhino and warn it of any approaching enemies.

The African Leopard (Chui)
This reclusive member of the cat family is covered by a beautiful,
spotted coat; the spots are called rosettes because they are
shaped like a rose. These are more circular in East African
Leopards and square in Southern Africa leopards.
A stealthy and effective hunter, the Leopard has been known to
strike at its unsuspecting prey even from above; and then to drag
its kill up into the branches to dine on, while protecting it from
other predators and scavengers.
These primarily nocturnal hunters are very comfortable in the
water and can easily catch fish and crabs and are said to be the
most adaptable and widespread of all the big cats.
Black leopards’ spots are mostly indistinguishable and are
commonly called Black Panthers.
Leopards prefer a solitary existence, except when mating or -
for the females – when raising their young.

The Whale Shark (Papa Shilingi)
With its beautiful circular markings, the giant whale shark –
the largest fish in the world – is now a part of Kenya’s tourist
attractions. This gentle giant prefers warmer waters, explaining
why it finds its way to the waters off Kenya’s coast. For such a
large fish, reaching lengths of 15 meters, this gentle giant dines
on the smallest of fare - plankton and tiny fish, which it sucks in
through its wide open mouth as it filters out the large amounts
of water it ingests, while swallowing its fare. This is a process
known as filter feeding.
Whale sharks are migratory, travelling many thousands
of kilometers on journeys that scientists are still trying to
understand.
Sadly though, they are victims of over-fishing, with local
fishermen targeting them for their liver oil, to protect their boats
against rot.

THINK ABOUT THIS
When God gave man all of creation to have dominion over, He gave dominion as an aspect of Himself. Dominion
however, is not in any way a forceful imposition of self-will on creation or on others. It is the expression of
the love of God from the heart of man and by it should all mankind live and treat others. That man has turned
creation to merchandise for making money through tourism does not make it God’s plan. We must treat all
men and all creation with love and love alone. Send us your thoughts: wehearyou@msingiafrikamagazine.com
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