 Reference Base  Among rhino and Javanese wild ox (banteng) in the Oedjoen... |
|
Hoogerwerf, A., 1938. Among rhino and Javanese wild ox (banteng) in the Oedjoeng Koelon Game Reserve. Nature Protection in the Netherlands Indies Dept. of Economic Affairs, Batavia: 9-14, figs. 1-6
|
|
|
|
| |
| Location: |
Asia - South East Asia - Indonesia - Java |
| Subject: |
Behaviour - Daily Routine |
| Species: |
Javan Rhino |
 |
|
Suddenly we stumbled on the bathing place of a rhino. It looked as though the wallow had only been there a few days and had been filled by the recent rains. From the fresh tracks, the still bubbling water, and especially the mud still slowly dropping from the surrounding leaves, it was plain that the rhino, probably startled by our approach, had only just left the pool.
The second rhino we came across that day - not more than two hours later - was laying peacefully in its wallow, like a water buffalo, in a small muddy river heavily overgrown with nipa palms on either bank. The only movement of the beast, which was larger than either of the two previous ones encountered, was the constant motion to and fro, of its ears. As it lay there, almost covered with water and with its ears moving, it reminded me of a hippopotamus. After having observed it at my leisure for some minutes, at a distance of about 30 yards, I endeavored to attract its attention by making a noise. This only resulted in the monster heaving its head with its enormous horn out of the water to get our wind, in which apparently it was unsuccessful. Only when I moved to the edge of the river it stood up, so that a large part of its colossal body came in sight.
Then with all its might it endeavored to climb the steep muddy bank down which it had slid to the water, but all its attempts failed. It slipped back, and then tried the same tactics at another spot a few yards further, with the same result. In its efforts some heavy branches lying in the river it lifted by its head and heaved over its back. After the failure of this second attempt it forded the river. Its whole body was submerged, and only the huge head and a part of its small tail appeared above the surface. The animal advanced to the very spot where I was standing, and I thought it wise to climb a tree which, overhanging the river, made an excellent observation post.
Also a third attempt to gain the land was unsuccessful; it then walked to and fro in the river, emitting a loud snorting every few seconds. Finally it managed to clamber up a less precipitous part of the opposite bank, and disappeared rapidly in the nipa grove.
|
|
|
File available
details
Original text on this topic: