Shekarea, A., 1832. The Saugor island rhinoceros. Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register for Britsih and Foreign India, China and Australasia (new series) 9: 167
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| Location: |
Asia - South Asia - India |
| Subject: |
Distribution |
| Species: |
Javan Rhino |
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SAUGOR-ISLAND RHINOCEROS.
The followingremarkable account of the destruction of a rhinoceros is from the Or. Sporting Mag. The writer says, that he had proceeded on a visit to the quarantine station, and was informed that a rhinoceros had made his appearance. He accordingly proceeded with his companion to a tank which the animal was said to frequent, where a stage was erected on a tree. About half-past eight o'clock, on a dark evening, the animal made his appearance, and came immediately under the stage. They fired at him; he seemed a little astonished but did not move. A second volley was fired, when he turned sharp round and made off. Bight balls were fired into him, which he seemed to mind no more than if they had been peas. In about ten minutes he returned, when the gentlemen again fired at him; but the gun of one of them hurst and blew off two of his fingers, also injuring his companion. They were obliged, therefore, to descend and retreat.
In a month and a-half, the gentleman's hand having been healed, they both determined to take the field against the rhinoceros, but with heavier guns. Two six-pounders were at the station, which were loaded, and taken to the spot which he frequented and laid in his path; after which they set themselves to watch his approach on the evening of the 6th April, taking their station in the tree. Just as they were levelling their guns, a tiger sprung out almost from under their feet; he prowled about the tree all night, but they could not get a shot at him. The whole of that and of the succeeding night
they watched for the rhinoceros, but he did not make his appearance. On the third night, about ten o'clock, he again showed himself. One of the gentlemen jumped down from the tree and took his station at the gun, but the animal perceived him and fled. In an hour he returned, and came up right in the direction of the mouth of the gun, when just as the gentleman was raising his match to fire, the rhinoceros made a spring at him. The gun, however, went oil' and the shot met him half-way. He uttered a terrible groan, ran about fifty yards, and then fell to rise no more. Many of the shots were found to have taken effect. His dimensions were twelve feet in length without the tail, seven feet high, and thirteen in circumference. On opening him, one of the leaden balls first fired at him was found in his stomach. The flesh of the animal was greedily devoured by the crew of a Burmese boat, who had arrived there in a famished state.
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The Saugor island rhinoceros
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