Midlands Black Rhino Conservancy Trust

24/05/2026

THE MAJESTIC SABLE ANTELOPE

Locally known as Ngwarati in Shona and Umtshwayeli in Ndebele,is the national animal of Zimbabwe.
Renowned for it's striking jet black coat, white facial markings,and sweeping scimitar shaped horns.It represents the fierce and proud spirit of the Zimbabwean wilderness.
Appearance:
Adult males feature glossy,jet black coats with brilliant white bellies and faces.Females and juveniles display a rich chestnut - brown coat.
Horns:
Both sexes possess impressive backward curving horns.Those of the males can grow to staggering lengths of 1.5 to 1.6 meters making them a marvel of the savannah.
Temperament:
Highly combative and brave.A cornered Sable will fiercely use its lethal horns to defend against predators like lions, leopards and hyenas.

09/05/2026

🐒 LET’S LEARN ABOUT BABOONS TODAY 🐒
Did you know baboons live in large families called troops? A troop can have a few baboons or even more than 100 living together, protecting each other and searching for food together in the wild.
Yes, baboons also have leaders. Usually, the strongest and smartest male baboon becomes the leader of the troop. His job is to protect the group from danger, fight off enemies, and keep order inside the troop. Female baboons also play a very important role because they care for the babies and help keep the family strong.
One special thing about baboons is their teamwork and communication. They use different sounds, facial expressions, and body movements to warn each other about danger or to call the troop together. When one baboon sees danger, the whole troop reacts quickly.
Baboons are very intelligent animals. They can remember places, recognize faces, solve problems, and work together as a team. In the wild, they teach us the importance of family, leadership, protection, and unity.
Nature is full of lessons if we take time to learn. 🌿
What do you think is the most interesting thing about baboons?

27/04/2026

22/04/2026

28/02/2026

"Just a casual hangout in the bush. It’s always a privilege to see these beautiful Common Eland and Zebras sharing the same space so peacefully. 🌿🇿🇼"

19/02/2026

🐊

31/01/2026

Today is international Zebra Day. A toast to the Disco donkeys…donkeys in pyjamas. ( Photo credit Aidan Jansen)

30/01/2026

Please follow our WhatsApp channel:

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6zQOe002T4PLFelN3p

Follow Midlands Black Rhino Conservancy's WhatsApp channel. Official Midlands Black Rhino Conservancy Trust channel — timely updates, news, events, conservation alerts and official links. Stay informed. Broadcast-only.. Join 35 followers for the latest updates.

17/01/2026

Leopard Tortoise Facts

​Species: Stigmochelys pardalis

​Habitat: They love the semi-arid savannas, scrublands, and grasslands common across Southern Africa. They avoid dense forests but thrive where there is space to roam and graze.

Size: They are the 4th largest tortoise species in the world! Adults can grow up to 70cm and weigh over 40kg (approx 88lbs).

Lifestyle: Strictly diurnal (active during the day). They spend their time grazing on coarse grasses, basking in the sun to warm up, and seeking shade during the hottest hours.

Reproduction: Females dig a hole and lay clutches of 10–30 eggs.

Incubation period: It can take 8 to 15 months for the babies to hatch depending on the temperature!

Lifespan: In the wild, they can live for 80 to 100 years.

Communication: They are mostly silent but will hiss loudly if scared (by expelling air from their shell). Males also grunt during mating and use shell-ramming to compete with rivals.

Conservation Status: Listed as Least Concern generally, but they are protected under CITES (Appendix II) to manage the international pet trade and prevent over-collection.

​Interesting Facts

​They Can Swim: Unlike most tortoises, they can float and swim across rivers because of a large lung space in their shell!

​The "Small 5": They represent the Leopard in the "Small 5" safari animals.

Unique Shells: Their shell is actually their ribcage and spine fused together. They can even feel through it—they enjoy a good “shell scratch” on a rough rock!

​ No "Nape" Plate: They are the only tortoise in the world without a nuchal shield (the scale right above the neck). This lets them lift their heads straight up like a periscope!

Good Listeners: They don’t have external ears, but they are very sensitive to low-frequency vibrations in the ground.

14/01/2026

14/01/2026

BLACK RHINO FACTS

Species: Diceros bicornis
Habitat: Savannas, grasslands, and forests
Diet: Herbivore, feeding on leaves, shoots, and fruits
Size: Up to 1.6m tall, 3.5m long, and 1,400kg
Lifestyle: Solitary, territorial, and primarily nocturnal
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Threats: Poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict
Reproduction: Female black rhinos give birth to 1-2 calves after 15-18 months gestation
Lifespan: 50+ years in the wild and 75+years in captivity
Unique ID: Rhino horn shape and size are unique, like fingerprints
Communication: Rhinos use vocalizations, body language, and scent marks

INTERESTING FACTS
 Black rhinos are excellent browsers, using their pointed lips to grasp leaves and fruits
 They have poor eyesight but excellent hearing and smell
 Rhinos are known for their impressive horns, made of keratin
 Black rhinos are slower than white rhinos but more aggressive

CONSERVATION EFFORTS
 Protected areas and national parks
 Anti-poaching patrols and law enforcement
 Habitat management and restoration
 Community engagement and education