Vernay, A.S., 1924. Hunting the Sumatran rhinoceros. Natural History 24 (5): 625-627, figs. 1-2
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| Location: |
Asia - South East Asia - Myanmar (Burma) |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
Sumatran Rhino |
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Hunt of female Dicerorhinus sumatrensis for AMNH. In the July-August issue of Natural History, p. 527, allusion was made to a cable sent by Mr. Arthur S. Vernay, in which he announced that he had secured a female and young male of the rare Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis). In a letter dispatched by Mr.Vernay a full report of this achievement, which he describes as the grand coup is given. These rhinos are very carefully protected because of their scarcity and it was only thanks to the generous interest that Sir Harcourt Butler, the governor general of Burma, his taken in the expedition that permission to secure specimens for the American Museum was accorded. The district chosen for the hunt was the Pegu Yomas, a rough, precipitous region of shale and sandstone, in the south-central part of Burma. Arrangements for the successful prosecution of the hunt were made by Mr. Hopwood, the conservator of forests, Tenasserim Circle, sixteen elephants being provided for transport and a detail of six military police mounted on ponies being ordered to accompany Mr. Vernay.
The plan of campaign was to work up each of the main streams that flow into the Pegu River, in the hope of coming upon wallows, and also to explore in similar fashion each of the feeders of these streams. For six days a careful survey of the country was made without revealing the presence of a dark form. On one occasion the party came upon a wallow that had been used twenty-four hours before. They settled down near it to await the possible return of the animal that had used it but although they lingered till the late evening, no rhino appeared to reward their vigil.
On the seventh day the party scoured country covered with creeping bamboo, a favorite food of elephant and rhino. The going was exceedingly difficult and not even a rhino track was discernible as compensation for the arduous search. Time was getting on and it was decided to make for camp. The way thither lay along a stream known as the Bahmalik Chaung. Mr. Vernay writes:
`After a mile or so we found that the water in the stream was suddenly tinged with mud. We followed the discolored water upstream for 475 yards and ascertained that a feeding stream that flowed into the Bahmalik at that point was responsible for the brown tinge. Beyond the feeder the water in the Bahmalik was clear. We discussed the matter and came to the conclusion that the mud(ly discharge must be due to one of three things: (1) a local rainstorm, (2) a landslide , (3) elephants wallowing - the discoloration seemed too heavy to be caused by rhinos. Although the hour was late, an occurrence such as this needed investigation.
We started up the little stream. The ascent was difficult, even formidable, and to us in our impatience to reach the goal the climb seemed interminable. After a time there appeared in front of us a stretch worse than any we had previously traversed. The water was now very thick. It confirmed our conclusion that there must have been a landslide and, as we were feeling very weary, we sent our two natives up to investigate. These men climb like cats and soon were lost to sight.
After ten minutes or so they reappeared gesticulating wildly. We knew that the big moment had come. Slowly we made our way up. We wanted to save our breath for the final effort, when steadiness of aim is allessential. At length we reached our natives. They informed us they had heard a grunt. We listened, and presently we too heard a sound that meant rhino.
The way beyond was narrow and steep. We thought that over the top of the rocks about twenty yards above us there must be a flat place, for beyond was an old landslide. We wanted to have a look at this flat place without being observed ourselves. As there was room for only one individual at a time, I led the way and Percy-Smith followed close behind. I clambered to the spot and with the utmostearepeepedover. Nottenyardsaway was a rhino in a wallow. I pulled back, fortunately found a place that offered good support for my feet, and then straightened up again. As I came into view this second time the rhino - a female - saw me. She made one plunge, when a lucky shot in the brain killed her.'
As Mr. Vernay approached the wallow, a small object emerged from behind the fallen animal. It was a baby male rhino about one month old. It charged viciously but ineffect- ually. This little rhino was transported to camp in a bamboo basket, quickly and skillfully made by the two natives. It took milk out of a bottle and was a camp pet for several days. It was then sent to Rangoon, to be placed in the Zoo. But it did not survive and, as a consequence, it will be mounted with its mother in an American Museum group.
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Hunting the Sumatran rhinoceros
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