 Reference Base  Ages of black rhinos killed by drought and poaching in Zi... |
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Dunham, K., 1985. Ages of black rhinos killed by drought and poaching in Zimbabwe. Pachyderm 5: 12-13, figs. 1-2
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| Location: |
Africa - Southern Africa - Zimbabwe |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Status |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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In the 1982/83 wet season, rainfall in the Zambezi Valley in northern Zimbabwe was only 430 mm (compared with the 17 year mean of 783 mm). During the following dry season, at least 23 black rhinos, 104 elephants, 120 impala and 100+ buffalo died in the northern section of Mana Pools National Park, mainly within a few kilometres of the Zambezi River (Fig. 1). Some animals died when they became stuck in mud as inland pools dried up, but it was assumed that most of the deaths resulted from malnutrition. Deaths were also reported in the Safari Areas surrounding the Park. Rainfall in the 1983/84 wet season was again low (399 mm), but the dry season mortality of all species was low and only 15 rhinos were found dead throughout the Valley. Most rhino skulls found were collected by management staff. The approximate age of each animal was determined on the basis of tooth eruption and wear.
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