 Reference Base  Rhinoceros sondaicus: the Javan or lesser one-horned rhin... |
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Loch, C.W., 1937. Rhinoceros sondaicus: the Javan or lesser one-horned rhinoceros and its geographical distribution. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 15 (2): 130-149, pls. 3-4, table 1
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| Location: |
Asia - South East Asia - Malaysia - Peninsular |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
Javan Rhino |
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Rhinoceros sondaicus - B. The ? Tahan ? Rhinoceros. The next record, although there is an element of uncertainty about it, is of great interest. The Javan rhinoceros has never been known to occur on the east side of the Malay Peninsula. Mr. Theodore Hubback, the Hon. Game Warden of Pahang, who knows more of the subject than anyone in the country has for many years tried to get reliable evidence, as to the occurrence of sondaicus on the east side of the main range. In his extensive jungle tours he has never come across its tracks, and the Malays and Sakai of Ulu Paliang and Ulu Nenggiri have no knowledge of two different species of rhino. However Mr. Henry N. Ridley at one time of Singapore and compiler of the ?Flora of the Malay Peninsula' writes as follows: ?The Rhinoceros I saw in Pahang was in June, 1891. I took it to be R. sondaicus on account of its much larger size and distinctly grey colour. It was lying in bushes by the river bank, and jumped up when it saw me and bolted. The depression it made when lying down was much larger than that of the ordinary sumatrensis which is not grey when seen alive. I may say I am still doubtful as to which it was but the Malays affirmed that there were two kinds of rhinoceros there. It was a very large beast. It was up in the Tahan woods district where no European had been before. The common kind R. sumatrensis I have often met with, a much smaller beast than this huge fellow. I was alone at the time and about 40 yards from it when I saw it. It did not make the usual cry of sumairensis when startled but simply galloped off.'
This statement while not conclusive, is the only case of the possible occurrence of the Javan rhinoceros on the east side of the Peninsula that we know of; for that reason it has been placed on record.
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