I can’t imagine that David Attenborough — famed English broadcaster for BBC and dedicated naturalist serving the animal kingdom — is surprised very often. He’s led a long and storied career that’s ensured he’s a household name the world over, which means he has the knowledge and experience to back it up.
And yet, it seems like something has taken him off guard.
"We had no idea that rhinos met to socialize and build friendships like this," Attenborough reports, breathless, all the while wild rhinos begin to appear while the camera rolls. "They may be ill-tempered by day, but now they become gentle and affectionate [at night]."
The fact that rhinos can be playful isn’t new information, per se, but it certainly helps to shatter the stereotype that these gentle creatures are always vicious — because they aren’t.
There’s a video of a baby rhino responding to his own name while taking a walk with his four-legged canine friends, which more than proves their affection. Thankfully, wildlife rescuers know this already, and their incredible efforts have been saving the lives of rhinos for decades.
Personally, I find the combination of Attenborough’s soothing narration and the soft breathing of these rhinos to be particularly calming. I’ve always been a fan of every wildlife nature series that BBC has produced, and this one is no exception.
While the last few minutes of this video aren’t altogether surprising (it’s funny, though), the beginning really gave me chills. To see wild animals being so affectionate with one another was truly a gift to witness, and I’m very grateful for Attenborough’s work.
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Thumbnail: Wikimedia Commons
