An overly-curious rhino got more than he bargained for when he got a little too close to a critically endangered month-old Bactrian camel at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire this week.
Mum Camilla and dad Dougie took a dim view of Marashi's unwanted attentions and wasted little time chasing him away.
Despite tipping the scales at around three tonnes, sporting a vicious-looking 40cm-long horn and having a hide up to 5cm thick, Marashi was no match for the protective parents. And even with a top speed in excess of 30mph, the rhino was not able to out-run the cross camels.
Keeper Ian Turner said: "It's unusual for the camels to get quite so protective over their babies. However, in this particular case, mum Camilla has been particularly aggressive – and not just to the rhinos. The keepers have also had to keep on their toes as she's just as likely to chase them away.
"In spite of her bad temper, she's actually proving to be a really good mum. I'm not exactly sure what the camels' plan would be if Marashi ever decided to stop and stand his ground, but he seems to have learned his lesson."
Nikki is one of three Bactrians born in the park in the past 12 months in addition to the eight-strong group, headed by Dougie, the breeding bull.
Unlike their cousins, the dromedaries, Bactrian camels have two humps and are covered in thick fur to protect themselves from the sub-zero temperatures of their Mongolian homeland.
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