Behind the fences of this park,
nature meets humans on our terms.
But when a rhino's patience
wears thin,
don't expect it to feel the same way.
Though they're powerful and fast,
black rhinos could not outrun
the black market demand for their horns.
Nature parks,
like the Serengeti Park in Germany,
allow endangered species
like this thrive in peace.
But in 2019,
this zookeeper found out
that a rhino's temperament
can change in an instant,
and barely escaped with his life.
If you were driving through a park,
With their population
hovering around 5,000,
rhino attacks on humans
may be infrequent,
but it some cases
maybe not unprovoked.
From 1970 to 1992,
almost 96% of the black rhino
population was wiped off
the face of the planet
due to an increased demand
for their horns on the black market.
Averaging 50 cm (20 in) long
and made from keratin,
the horns are made into a powder
and sold as a status symbol.
While this animal
may be coveted by poachers,
if a rhino charges at you full speed,
chances are you're the trophy now.
So keep an eye on that horn,
and follow these steps
if you want to come back home alive.
A study of animal attacks
in Chitwan National Park,
in Nepal,
found that between 2003 and 2013,
38% of the people
killed by animals
were killed by rhinos.
Weighing over 1.4 tons (3,086 lb),
this mammal has enough power
and mass to derail a train.
So if you're thinking
of snapping a photo up close
with that adorable rhino calf,
beware of its protective mother
lurking around.
Since their eyes are positioned
so far away from each other,
rhinos don't possess
binocular vision.
Instead,
these behemoths sense movement.
Stay out of their field of vision
by hiding behind trees or rocks,
and you might remain undetected.
While it's not a natural predator,
if a rhino senses a threat,
it won't back down
until that threat has been removed.
Remain out of sight,
and the rhino could lose interest.
With their keen sense of smell,
rhinos don't need eyes
to detect your position.
Move in the direction of the wind,
where the rhino has less of a chance
of noticing your scent.
If the rhino approaches too close,
toss an item of yours
in the their direction.
Following your scent
could distract the rhino
long enough for you to escape.
Reaching speeds
up to 55 km/h (34 mph),
this heavily armored mammal
won't stop charging
until you're no longer a threat.
Climb a tree if you need to,
but unless the roots are sturdy,
they'll trample it to the ground.
With its ability
to change direction quickly,
you won't outrun this beast.
But if you dart
behind trees, bushes, or rocks
you might break the charge
or disorientate the rhino
enough to end the chase.
If the rhino starts snorting loudly,
it's preparing to charge.
And if the rhino bows its head,
it's preparing to use its horn.
With the sheer force
behind this 1.5 m (5 ft) tall animal,
a rhino can build enough momentum
to put its horn right through you.
If all else fails,
as the rhino closes the gap
between you both,
dive to the ground
and with your feet toward the rhino.
This maneuver
will keep you close enough
to the ground
to avoid being gored by that horn.
Time it right,
and maybe you'll be able
to roll over again
to avoid being crushed.
One study reported the fatality rate
of rhino attacks is almost 33%.
Even if you survive this encounter,
rhino attacks can leave you
with internal injuries,
so keep your organs
and your head covered.
While this situation
is highly avoidable,
if you're in a stand-off
with this herbivore,
follow these steps
and you might live
to have another story to tell.
You may have
out maneuvered that rhino,
but your tour group has lost control
and are running your way.
How are you going to survive
this human stampede?
Cover your head
and learn right here
on the next How to Survive.