 Reference Base  Reintroduction of a captive born white rhinoceros (Cerato... |
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Boeer, M.; Brain, C.; Cantzler. T.; Hamza, H.; Venzke, K., 1999. Reintroduction of a captive born white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) to the Etosha National Park Part II: Behaviour in the boma, procedures before and locomotion during the first ten weeks after release and observations from June until November. Zoologische Garten 69: 73-81, figs. 1-6
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| Location: |
Africa - Southern Africa - Namibia |
| Subject: |
Translocation - Methods |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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Zoo born animal released in Namibia - Diceros bicornis . Management and behavioural monitoring in the boma
Feeding regimen and water supply for the rhino in the boma up to the point of release are described earlier (B?er et al. 1997). Some of the rhino's basic behavioural patterns of daily activity, solitary behaviour and patterns due to metabolism were monitored and evaluated quantitatively.
Pre-release management
For telemetric implantation and radiotransmitter collaring the rhino had to be immobilized shortly before release. After one day of starving early in the morning and long before the onset of tropical midday heat it was darted with etorphin as described previously (B?er et al. 1997). To reduce exaggerated locomotion due to etorphin it was tightened with ropes on the hind legs and held by 3-4 persons before falling aside. During immobilization respiration was stabilized with Dopram and cool water was splashed over the body surface in order to increase evaporation by high body temperature (Fig. 1). A telonics-radiocollar, modified for rhino, was installed around the neck. A 9 mm wide and about 7 cm deep hole was drilled into the backside of the front horn 3 cm above the vascularized horn basis. A lotec-GPS (global positioning system) 1000 telemetric implant was put in the hole and the opening closed with epoxy finally.
With injection of diprenorphin iv the rhino recovered immediately within minutes from immobilization and began to drink and to feed the same day. Next morning, March 9, 1997, the boma was opened for release.
Behaviour
Monitoring in the boma was carried out from October 1996 till March 1997 during a total of 712 hrs. Average observation time/day approximated 610 min. Data obtained indicate two types of behaviour in the boma: Patterns were split into non-active (standing still, lying) and active (horn rubbing, grazing, drinking, feeding, moving) behaviour in the dry and the rainy season (Fig. 2).
A slow and constant divergence of the two behavioural categories was established by increased activities at nights. Particularly then high rates of locomotion were observed. Increasing activity was especially seen at the start of the rainy season, during days of lower temperature, higher humidity and heavy rainfall. Long lying phases for several hours during the day were seen after transfer but lessened considerably over the next six weeks of observation. Deviation of data trends in the 4. week cannot be explained, though its potential cause is described and discussed previously (B?er et al. 1997) and later in this issue.
Patterns of behaviour
Patterns were evaluated separately on a weekly basis and differed among each other with regard to frequency during the observations, especially between the dry and the rainy season (Fig. 3).
Grazing in the boma in addition to consuming food could only be observed during the rainy season when ground vegetation in the enclosure grew rapidly. Observations for patterns like wallowing or soil/dust bathing were missed after the first ten days in the boma (see also Part 1 of the project). Behavioural differences between both seasons were conspiciously observed for categories lying, feeding, and locomotion. Average lying time decreased by approximately 10 % in the rainy season. Contrary to this duration of locomotion increased by 15 % in the rainy season. This trend was synchronized with falling temperatures especially during days with heavy thunderstorms.
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