Good day

I know that some of you have been waiting for a Jimmy update for some time, and I apologize for the delay.
I returned to Humani a few days ago, and what a surprise I got when I saw Jim. He is huge! About 6 times the size he was when we found him, almost ten months ago. We estimate him to weigh roughly 300 kgs now, which means he puts on approximately 25+ kgs per month. What's most impressive about his development is his girth. His horn is also growing at a rapid rate.
Jimmy spends a lot of time wandering about in the bush around headquarters these days, and much less time in and around the house. Although, he never forgets feed time. Anne is gradually cutting back on his milk and cubes, and much of his nourishment now comes from browse and grass. Grass, I hear you ask. Yes, Jimmy actually prefers grass to weeds and leaves at this stage. Fairly strange for a browser eh? I think it is due to the fact that there is so much succulent, green grass around right now. I'm sure that he will revert back to browse in a big way when the grass loses condition. Jimmy and Martin the little bull are still best of friends and hang out together at all times. Jimmy is calmer now than he has ever been, and temper tantrums are few and far between, which is just as well. All in all, he is growing up to be a fine fellow with a disposition one wouldn't expect from a rhino. His character has everything to do with the way Anne Whittall is raising him, and I for one take my hat off to her. I guess raising Jim is not that much of a challenge to Anne, after raising lions, leopards, buffalo, zebras and goodness knows what else! And there is a new arrival - Emily the baby bushbuck who fell into a pit a few weeks ago and was rescued and handed over to Anne's care. What a beautiful little creature she is. I shall post some pictures of Emily in due course, as well as some better ones of Jimmy. I hope you enjoy these in the meantime.

Dave

Damn damn damn, I feel walt disney feelings coming.

He looks very healthy

Thanks for the update! It's great to see Jimmy is doing well!

NOT a lap dog anymore!

Jimmy looks great and he sure has contentment in his eyes.

Wow, he is realy growing up. Thanks for keeping us posted on his progress and Anne's great efforts to raise him.

I guess by the time he is grown, he will be "Sir James".

Keith

David

Thanks for the update. Amazing story.

Jim

I believe he is a television star now as well - didn't I see him on a recent program (albeit younger)?

Thanks for the pictures.

Thanks for the wonderful update on our boy Jimmy. Keep us informed of his progess. Those pics of him lying on the porch reminds me of my chocolate lab's pose when sleeping. Also glad to see what the rains have done for all of you.

David,

Jimmy really has bulked up since Sept. when I visited the Whitalls. Anne was very concerned as she said he did not like men but he came up and laid his head on my belly while I stroked his face. I felt quite honored.

Mark

quote:

Anne was very concerned as she said he did not like men but he came up and laid his head on my belly while I stroked his face. I felt quite honored.

Must be the long hair!

Dave, sorry if I asked this before, but what ever became of the buffalo calf that Anne was taking of when we hunted there in 05?

BillC,

No doubt! Regardless it was a special moment. How many people get to pet a black rhino????

Mark

Very cool.

Bill C

The buffalo calf is thriving. Also spends its time wandering about with a cow. We are hoping that it will team up with other buffalo soon. I shall send you a recent picture in due course.

Dave

Dave thanks for the update, what are the plans for future when he becomes a full grown?

Ahmed,

Yes, that is a bit of a difficult one - we are not really sure how things will turn out in the end. Hopefully Jimmy will just wander off into the bush and find a girlfriend. There are many rhino here so he should bump into another one at some stage. He is already roaming further and further from the house and we hope this trend will continue. Anne has had great success over the years returning animals to the wild, and I have complete faith in her ability to make things work out well for Jimmy.

Dave

Dave - thanks for the update. Amazing to see the growth from the first pictures!!


Phil

I enjoy the Jimmy story thanks for the update.

David, that little guy is getting to be quite a Bus! I met with brother Jonny at Dallas, Alistair as well. Enjoyed an evening together. Maybe you can get over next year.
Have a great year,
David K.

David,

I just saw Jimmy on Safari Hunter's Journal and the interview with Anne. Great story about Jimmy and the other animals she has raised.

Thanks for keeping us updated on his progress.

As Kathi pointed out, I saw him on SHJ last night as well. Good show and good information on Zim and the poaching battle. Makes you appreciate what the concession/conservancy guys are up against and the job they're doing to fight it.

David