For those of you who have followed Jimmy's progress the past couple of years, I thought I'd let you know that this week has been a memorable one, for both him and us. Jimmy is, without doubt, leaving home. His foster mother, Anne Whittall, left with Roger for the US about ten days ago, and Jimmy has not been home since. I think that the combination of Anne's departure and the abundance of food in the bush at this time has encouraged him to make the break. He is hanging around in the bush close to HQ, but exploring new territory and moving further afield every day. I hope he stays close for a while and am sure he will. In fact, I'm sure he'll visit every now and again, especially when food becomes scarce again. But that will be in many months time and for now he is as happy as a rhino in lush bush can be. Gamescouts track and see him every day and I make a concerted effort to see him as as often as possible - every second day since he departed. I am terrified that some disaster will befall him. Possibly paranoid and the apron strings will have to be severed completely at some stage, but I don't think there's any harm in being overly cautious at this stage. Today I observed him for about half an hour, obliviously feeding twenty yards from me in his natural habitat. I kept on having flashbacks to the day I found him, cowering under a bush in that giant mopani forest, 22 months ago now. A strange feeling overcame me and I backed off as silently as I had stalked in (yeah, right!).
I just thought I'd let you all know that Jimmy is back where he belongs. We are all indescribably happy.

I shall try to get a photo or two in the next couple of days but don't want to disturb him too much right now.

Dave

Truly a bittersweet event. Well done all around.

David, thanks for the update in Jimmy.

Will be looking forward to some new pics of him.

Keith

ps: glad to hear he is doing so well.

Jimmy deserves to be wild

You all have done a great thing. Viva Jimmy!

Very good news

It's a great thing you all have done, and I have my fingers crossed for him.

He's already a lucky guy I'll bet his luck holds out.

Sorry I missed this before. I'm happy to hear he is doing well.

I was watching Safari Hunter's Journal. They were in Zim hunting with Peter Wood of Roger Whittal Safari and at the end they showed clips of Jimmy with Anne. Quite nice to see!

Thanks .366, and all of you. Yes, he is doing very well. Here is a not so recent picture - few months ago..

David,

Sadie and I were privileged to visit with the Whittalls and Jimmy in '07. That visit will always be one of the high point of my safari expereinces in Africa. Who gets to have a black rhino rest his head on their belly? Way cool!

Mark