 Reference Base  Notes on rhinoceroses in Burma, R. sondaicus and sumatrensis |
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Evans, G.H., 1905. Notes on rhinoceroses in Burma, R. sondaicus and sumatrensis. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 16 (4): 555-561
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| Location: |
Asia - South East Asia - Myanmar (Burma) |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
Asian Rhino Species |
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Mason in his work on Burma, Volume 1, page 451, writes thus: `The common single horned rhinoceros is very abundant. Though often seen on the uninhabited banks of large rivers as the Tenasserim, they are fond of ranging the mountains, and I have frequently met with their wallowing places on the banks of mountain streams two or three thousand feet above the plains.'
During the past twenty years at least, and in spite of most guns having been withdrawn, I do not think anyone in the province would consider either species abundant or common, or even miderately so anywhere. If they are still so it must be in tracts inaccessible and little visited by Europeans. It is probable that, confining themselves as they often do to localized areas, four to six or even a couple wandering over such, by crossing and recrossing, would make numerous tracks in many directions and this, taken in conjunction with the fact that in such areas pools and wallows would be met with which they had entered, might without due consideration lead to the impression that rhinoceroses are abundant.
I believe, however, that in the aggregate there is a fair number of animals scattered over the country. So far I am under the impression that R. sumatrensis is the more common.
During a residence of several years I can only recollect some eight or nine specimens of R. sumatrensis and two of R. sondaicus being shot by European sportsmen. This cannot be said to be a large number if we consider the many Europeans who tour about the country on duty, prospecting, or in search of heavy game. In several instances the specimens of sumatrensis were come on unexpectedly, i.e., the lucky individuals who were on the march or in pursuit of other game were unaware that rhino were to be found anywhere in their proximity. Some experience of the class of country they are most likely to be found in, leads me to the belief that as far as their pursuit goes, they are likely to enjoy immunity from annoyance, except from a few of the more ardent sportsmen.
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