waterholes - unload the grass there - loosen
up with a manure fork - enrich with a
special syrup with minerals and vitamins
and leave the animals to eat. By the fact
that the animals could hardly find anything
in the wilderness, they were waiting for
our arrival every day and plunged into the
food as soon as we arrived. Often they gave
us little chance of loosening the grass or
enriching it with the minerals and when
the big ones arrived hungry, we quickly had
to clear the field before they attacked us.For me, this was one of the most beautiful
experiences of my life, although it was
extremely dangerous and a tiresome effort.
Had it not been for my colleague, the
ranger, I would be dead by now because the
drought had increased the animal’s natural
fear of humans and also the animals were in
competition with each other. It was about
naked survival and everyone fought for
their share of the food.We had to work at dangerous distances
with buffaloes, rhinoceroses or elephants,
at times as less than 10 meters. We had
to get out of the car and carry the heavy
grass balls to the water holes by hand. Our
work almost always took place under the
observation of these hungry animals.One day I saw a rhinoceros with her baby
about 100 meters from a waterhole. They
were standing next to an acacia tree trunk
and the mother animal did not seem
particularly aggressive. I told my colleagues
that I would like to take my camera to
photograph these animals up close. He
surely had a lot of confidence in me, so
simply said, “Try it!”.I walked up alone and unarmed to this
rhinoceros and her baby. A rhinoceros
with a small calf is like a ticking bomb in
the wilderness. She would do anything to
protect her baby and her tolerance limit
is much smaller than if she did not have a
child to defend. I was aware of this; yet I
was confident that I could stalk a bit closer.I somehow ran a few steps and took a photo.
I stopped for a few seconds and watched
the behavior of the mother animal. Then I
came step by step up to about two meters
close to these two animals. Meanwhile,
the car was about 100 meters further
away and there my colleague stood and
watched the situation with astonishment.
When I reached the two-meter limit, I
knew that I should not risk any more with
these animals. I took a moment to take a
picture from a bit below. This makes the
animals look even more spectacular and
the perspective is more unusual, which is
good for the picture. While clicking, the
rhinoceros gave me the sign that it is now
enough. It was a loud snort, accompanied
by a kick on the ground, which also stirred
up a lot of dust.I got up and walked very confidently
and slowly backwards. My colleague was
totally surprised that I went so close to the
rhinoceros without being attacked. So it
came to this photo showing the rhinoceros
with her baby. Two days later, a picture of
another rhinoceros, which I recorded from
less than a meter, was created. Here, too, I
have continually observed the state of mind
of the rhinoceros and approached him step
by step. When I took the last picture of this
rhinoceros, I could have touched the hornof the three-toned rhinoceros with my arm
outstretched. The picture of the individual
rhinoceros, which you see here, has been so
developed.The ranger, who was with me, said he
had never seen or heard that a human
being can stalk up to a few centimeters
of wild rhinoceroses without the animals
running away or attacking. I have my own
explanation for this: by applying many
years to the protection of rhinoceroses and
emotionally loving these animals, I radiate
a positive energy towards these creatures.
This energy is perceived by the animals so
that they do not conceive me as frightening
or aggressive. That is why they have allowed
me several times to approach them close
to a few centimeters. I am convinced that
this would never be possible if a person
emanates fear or aggression!
When I see baby rhinos in the wilderness
today, I am particularly happy because I
feel that they are like my own children.
Through this strong connection to the
rhinoceroses I radiate a deep sympathy
towards these wonderful creatures.The poaching of the rhinoceroses
unfortunately has been booming since
about 2009. Since the Chinese are doing well
financially, they pay horrendous amounts
for the horns of these animals, and wherever
a lot of money is paid for something, there
will also be unscrupulous people to cover
this need. Several environmental protection
organizations have also developed plans to
solve the problem. Thus, we must take up
the fight against the poachers and much
more against the mafia in order to save the
rhinos from extinction.B
orn in Iran and living in Germany ever since, Benny is one
the most successful wildlife photographers of this century. Un-
til now he has organized and carried out numerous film, photo,
environmental protection, and adventure expeditions to several
countries. He is famous for his extreme close-up portraits of dan-
gerous wildlife of Africa by approaching within feet of the animals.
Recently, PRAKHAR GARG from Chiiz chatted with Benny about
his wildlife excursions and what all he has earned from the wild.What gears do you use while shooting wildlife?
I have been using Sony’s Equipment for the past 8 years. I mainly
shoot with Sony A7R II with lenses from 10mm up to 600mm.Some survival tips when out there in the wild.
Always take enough water with you. Study the behavior patterns
of the animals that you want to photograph.Most important lesson you’ve learned from your work?
Take your time and give your 100% towards it.Any one photograph of yours that inspires you the most?
There are many photos that inspire me in different ways.According to you, how our world would look like in one photo-
graph as a whole?
If you shoot a photo from a flying balloon, during the wildebeests’
migration in Tanzania or Kenya, you will see, how beautiful and
wonderful still our planet is and you will get the feeling that you
are already living in paradise.Prakhar Garg
[email protected]
Prakhar is always engrossed in his books and his
diary. He believes in the saying ‘It Is What It Is.’ A
wanderer by temperament, he wants to walk out on
his story when the day comes.