On 29 August 1951 there occurred in Hluhluwe GR the death of the famous old bull black rhinoceros Matilda, who in recent years must surely have become the most photographed individual animal in the world and been directly responsible for visits to the reserve of innumerable tourists. Matilda has been known to Capt Potter since 1929, at which time, although already very old, the animal had both his horns. In 1934 the posterior horn was lost, presumably as the result of a fight, and thereafter Matilda was looked upon as an easily identifiable freak and often referred to as a one-horned species. To estimate his undoubtedly great age would be pure surmise, but the winters in recent years have seen him lose much condition and agility, and it came as no surprise when he passed away after an unusually long spell of cold and wet weather.
On 29 August 1951 there occurred in Hluhluwe GR the death of the famous old bull black rhinoceros Matilda, who in recent years must surely have become the most photographed individual animal in the world and been directly responsible for visits to the reserve of innumerable tourists. Matilda has been known to Capt Potter since 1929, at which time, although already very old, the animal had both his horns. In 1934 the posterior horn was lost, presumably as the result of a fight, and thereafter Matilda was looked upon as an easily identifiable freak and often referred to as a one-horned species. Although the animal was widely known as `Matilda' it is not generally realized that this name dated only from the visits of Australian troops during World War II.
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Loss of posterior horn. On 29 August 1951 there occurred in Hluhluwe GR the death of the famous old bull black rhinoceros Matilda, who in recent years must surely have become the most photographed individual animal in the world and been directly responsible for visits to the reserve of innumerable tourists. Matilda has been known to Capt Potter since 1929, at which time, although already very old, the animal had both his horns. In 1934 the posterior horn was lost, presumably as the result of a fight, and thereafter Matilda was looked upon as an easily identifiable freak and often referred to as a one-horned species.
A white rhino became stuck in a small river and in spite of terrific struggles, of which the signs were plain to see, it remained there for approx. 12 hours almost completely submerged in the water. Fortunately the ending was a happy one because a native constable, to whom the thanks of all conservationists are due, on his own initiative and with the help of some local natives, levered the animal free with long poles. The rhino suffered no ill effects.
