" The inspiration for this painting came from an article written by Michael Modzelewski, in the May/June 1989 issue ofAnimal Kingdom. In brief, this moving article describes the white rhinos with their devoted game guards and the overnight massacre that took place in the Meru National Park. In an alleged act of revenge, the poachers vie for power with the Kenyan Government. This is a significant event, because it clearly shows how innocent creatures are pawns in a human turmoil and how quickly populations of any animals can be decimated. This painting is a memorial to the beuty of these animals and to their loyal guards." The five white rhinos were relocated in 1962 to Meru from South Africa because of overcrowding. Since the move the rhinos were under a 24 hour armed guard. It was clear that after interacting with the guards for many years the Meru Rhinos had become semi domesticated. It was on the night of the 30th October that 30 armed poachers with military precision entered the game reserve at night and machine gunned the rhino, cutting off the horn with chainsaws.