THE MANAGER, MR 'STRANGLER' FOURIE WITH HIS WHITE RHINOS; PRESIDENT SWART INSPECTION THE ANIMALS THROUGH BINOCULARS; MR FOURIE LEADING A RHINO IN FOR THE PRESIDENT TO EXAMINE AT CLOSE QUARTERS; MR FOURIE MOUNTED ON A RHINO WHICH IS UNCEREMONIOUSLY BUTTED BY ANOTHER.




Initials JM/V/JF/K



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE COUNCIL OF THE SMALL SOUTH AFRICAN TOWN OF KRUGERSDORP FACES A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AT THE MOMENT: HOW TO OBTAIN INSURANCE COVER FOR THE MANAGER OF THE TOWN'S GAME PARK, WHO SEEMS TO SPEND MOST OF HIS TIME ON THE BACK OF A WHITE RHINO. THE MANAGER IS PLEASED TO DEMONSTRATE HIS SKILL TO ANY VISITOR - AND THAT INCLUDES SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT SWART.

RIDING A THREE TON STEED CERTAINLY TAKES COURAGE, AND MR FOURIE'S COURAGE HAS CERTAINLY BROUGHT PLENTY OF VISITORS TO THE PARK - ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA'S NEWEST. BESIDES THE RHINO, THE PARK HAS A GOOD COLLECTION OF ANTELOPE, BUCK, ZEBRA - AND EVEN A FEW CAMELS, WHO DOUBTLESS FEEL RATHER OUT OF PLACE AT THE OTHER END OF THE CONTINENT TO THEIR NORMAL HOME.

WORLD WILDLIFE PROTECTION EXPERTS TELL US THE WHITE RHINO IS RAPIDLY BECOMING ONE OF THE WORLD'S RAREST ANIMALS - BUT WITHOUT ANY DOUBT A RHINO JOCKEY IS A GOOD DEAL MORE OF A RARITY.