First painting of 2012 finished (An uncertain encounter)
The last few nights have been late ones as I tried to finish this painting.Finally last night I finished it.It is still rough in many areas but I have decided to leave it that way.I would rather it look like a painting, than look like a photo.I only came up with a title today,and have been battling to find one suitable,although I did get a few suggestions from you readers,which did get my mind thinking.My brother had plenty of suggestions ,but they were not suitable ,and I will not mention them here,since some of them are quite funny, that's not to say that some of mine weren't either.It was actually my boss who after seeing the painting gave me some suggestions and which I liked (An Uncertain encounter).I almost went with an (Unusual encounter) since such a alteration between these animals is quite rare,and a unique privileged to witness.However the painting has an electric atmosphere between the subjects, and felt that (An Uncertain encounter) did more justice to it as a title.
The chances of seeing such an interaction between elephants and rhinos is becoming increasingly rare as both elephants and especially rhino are hunted down and killed for their horns and tusks.Since 2009 there has been a huge increase in the killing of rhinos for their horns which to some is worth more than the price of gold.
It is estimated,that there are about 15,000 rhinos left in Africa and 3,000 in Asia .About 80 to 90 percent of the Africa's rhino population is concentrated in South Africa. During 2011 ,448 rhinos were killed just in South Africa alone .During the first 16 days of this year 2012 , 25 rhinos have already been kill .If the Poaching continues at this rate the rhino may be extinct in the not so distant future.
In some areas Game rangers have resorted to tranquilizing some rhinos and then cutting off the horns so as to deter poachers from killing the rhinos.However this has not always worked.Since the horn is valued so highly, poachers are willing to kill the animal just for that small piece of horn that may be left.So if you see a rhino in the wild consider yourself extremely fortunate and enjoy the privileged experience .
Here are a few links that I found informative that deal with the plight of the Rhino . wwf.panda.org savingrhinos.org
Elephant paintings
Comments
le titre convient parfaitement.
Gros bisous
greet Marja