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Fading Footprints …

sandra0271

A WHILE AGO, I found myself standing


A WHILE AGO, I found myself standing in the back of a bakkie, with the warm wind against my face. I’ve always known that rhinos were endangered, but truthfully, they weren’t animals that captured my imagination. I am more drawn to the wild beauty of lions, leopards—creatures draped in fur, embodying the allure of the savannah. Rhinos, with their thick skin and prehistoric presence, felt distant, almost unrelatable. That was, until I visited the Rhino Momma Project near Outjo, Namibia.


This visit changed everything. With the warm wind against my face, I was helping to feed rhinos under the African sun. I saw a side of rhinos I had never imagined—curious, caring, almost friendly in their demeanor. As they slowly approached, their huge frames moved with surprising grace. I experience an unexpected warmth in their eyes; it is as though they were reaching out in quiet connection, breaking through my preconceived notions. I can assure you, it’s memories and not time that stays forever. I need to confess, I fell in love, and their endangered status became more than just a distant fact but a personal reality. These creatures, who had once felt like mere shadows of Africa’s wildlife, now held a deep place in my heart. Their story became mine, and I understood that their survival was as fragile as their massive bodies were strong.


Photo by Jule Heubach
Photo by Jule Heubach

Namibia is home to the largest black rhino Population in the world, with an estimated 2,156 individuals. It also shelters around 1,234 white rhinos. These numbers sounds reassuring until you remember that at the start of the 20th century, 500,000 rhinos roamed the earth. By 1970, that number had plummeted to 70,000. Today, we are left with only around 27,000 wild rhinos, a heartbreaking Testament to how quickly we can lose what we don’t protect. At the Rhino Momma Project, the work to save These extraordinary animals is relentless and full of passion.


I was humbled by the dedication of the people there, devoting their lives to ensuring that these ancient mammals endure for generations to come. Their work is not just about conservation—it’s about giving our children, and future generations, the chance to stand where I stood, watching a sunset in the company of rhinos.


I stood there, utterly humbled, as the sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting a golden glow over the silent, grazing rhinos. In that moment, the enormity of their fight for survival hit me like never before. These magnificent creatures deserve to live safely, to thrive in the wild, and to continue inspiring awe in everyone lucky enough to encounter them. If I can shout to the world, if ever your find yourself in Namibia, be sure to experience a moment like this.


Be part of something unforgettable.

Until next time,


From Sandra’s pen, Namibia


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