“If a rhino walks straight up to you while you’re filming and wants some rubs… you better rub that rhino like your life depends on it!”
While shooting footage for a conservation film about rhino poaching in South Africa, cameraman Garth De Bruno Austin was both pleasantly surprised and shocked when a rhino approached him for some TLC. Wild rhinos can be extremely dangerous, but this one had apparently gained trust for Austin, as she approached the human without any reservations. The 15-second encounter can be viewed below.
“If a rhino walks straight up to you while you’re filming and wants some rubs… you better rub that rhino like your life depends on it!,” Austin wrote. “Lucky for me she left my URSA Mini 4K camera alone!”
The wildlife cameraman was quick to share that he did not approach the rhino but instead was visited by her. This advice is valid when approaching all wild creatures, as one never knows how they might respond and should display respect in their territories.
“Do NOT try and do this with a truly wild rhino as it may end up with you being dead!,” Austin says. “FYI, I did not approach this animal, it was completely her decision to let me come into her personal space and touch her.”
It was an ordinary day for Garth De Bruno Austin, who is capturing footage for a conservation film about rhino poaching.
But then he was approached by a rhino who just wanted a belly rub…
“If a rhino walks straight up to you while you’re filming and wants some rubs…”
“You better rub that rhino like your life depends on it!”
Watch the video below:
