Rhino on the loose

[Ambifins]

Hey folks,
So, the last time I was at AK, I was on the first truck out. Lots of animals, great experience. At one point though, the rhinocerous came charging over the hill, chasing some of the antelope. The driver mentioned, calmly, that the rhino was territorial. He (the rhino, not the driver) then stopped about five feet away from us, and glared at me (ok, maybe he wasn't really glaring at ME, but it sure looked that way).
I felt that the rhino was in the wrong section, but I didn't see any frantic handlers running over the hill. Has anyone had an experience similar to this? I was wondering if a rhino had ever actually charged a vehicle.
I was nervous at the time (but only little ), but it was a great experience.

 

[Twende]

Yes the Rhinos can and will charge a truck. DD and I were charged last year on a late afternoon safari. It was scarey at the time and later it was really exciting!

I asked about how often this happens and we were told that the Rhinos do not see very well and might hit a truck because they do not see well enough to stop in time.

This year the Rhinos were no where near the trucks but we did have a close encounter with a griaffe. YOu just never know what will happen when you take a safari!

 

[WDSearcher]

It's impossible for an animal to "be in the wrong section." The animals on the savannah are all sharing the space, and they are put in that area because they can co-habitate without any problems.

Even though you cannot see them, there are various barriers to keep animals like the rhinos from charging the trams ... not that they ever have. They understand that the tram is much bigger than they are, and they are not stupid enough to take on something that's bigger than they are. Rhinos are also herbivors, which means they don't eat meat. So the antelope were never in any danger. Chances are, they were just all playing.

 

[peter11435]

That is actually fairly common and completly normal. I for one think it is one of the greatest safari experiences.

 

[liveforthemagic]

Just reading this thread is exciting! I cannot WAIT for our day at AK. The safari and the rapids are at the very top of my list!

 

[simba928]

If they ever happens to me from now on, I will probably just sit and laugh. The rhinos aren't big enough to do anything and I know its happened several times and to my knowledge, noone was ever injured as a result of a rhino "attacking" the truck. I will just sit there and laugh hysterically as everyone around me panics (theres bound to be at least one crazy person who totally flips). How awesome would that be!!!!

 

[pdarrah]

Maybe everyone knows this, but just in case ... The BLACK Rhinos (which can be dangerous) are in their own area and there are barriers between them and the trucks. The WHITE Rhinos roam the "savana" and while they may be a little territorial, they are not dangerous. We have had them stand so close to the truck that you "could" touch them - Of course, the driver was VERY clear that you must not do so!

We once got stopped for about 10 minutes on a safari by a very curious giraffe. He stood right in front of the truck and was looking in the windows! We loved it, but it probably wasn't too popular in the trucks behind us.

pdarrah

 

[Twende]

It was the white rhinos that charged our truck. It was very neat once it was over but during the charge most everyone on the truck was screaming!

I had the video camera running but I dropped my hands down to hold on and all I have of the video is the sight of the back of the seat in front of us and the sound of everyone screaming. The rhinos charged three times and it was most impressive!

 

[trappednabox]

okay, so I MIGHT BE weird, but I would LOVE for this to happen to me! I love the unperdictability of animals!

 

[Selket]

Do you have your children with you when this happens? I think it wouldn't bother me unless my 2 little sons were along and then I'd be freaking out.

I keep thinking of the Ian Malcolm character in Jurassic Park who cites chaos theory and says "that the Park's complex systems are doomed, right from the start --- but nobody listens until it's too late." I know Disney must have this rhino thing all figured out but then again....

 

[PandyPaws]

To put your fears as ease....remember, we are almost 6 feet off the ground in the trucks; way over those rhinos heads. While they may become startled now and again, they are most used to the trucks and know full well *we're* much bigger than they are. It's a ten-ton truck, there is nothing to fear

 

[kendzee94]

Two years ago, we had a rhino cross right in front of us. It was great! No charging at us thank God.... the animals are sectioned off by special fences and ravines that the guests can not usually see (travel channel special), so I would imagine that they are in the "right" areas.

 

[qtwns]

We were charged by an ostrich once...I know that's not as exciting as a rhino, but we still thought it was cool.

 

[princess aurora]

The Rhinos we encountered (must have been the white ones) were on the road right in our way and held us up a while, a long while it seemed. They looked pretty docile but the driver didn't move the truck for several minutes. Finally inching his way forward the Rhinos moved enough for us to continue on our safari journey. I thought that was exciting!!

 

[Aidensmom]

We were "delayed" by a giraffe who plopped right down in the trucks path and refused to move for about 20 minutes! The driver said it is actually quite common for the giraffes to hold up the ride.