E.M.W., 1923. The Singpho rhinoceros. Field, the country gentleman's magazine 142 (3702), 1923 December 6: 805
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| Location: |
Asia - South East Asia - Myanmar (Burma) |
| Subject: |
Distribution |
| Species: |
Sumatran Rhino |
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When I was on the Kuki Operations in 1919, in the unadministered territory between the Upper Chindwin near Homalin and Manipur, I was told by the Nagas of the existence of what they described as an animal like an elephant, but possessing a horn instead of a trunk. They told me that one of these animals lived near my post, pointing out a hill some 3 miles away. I accordingly visited the place, which proved to be a swamp on top of a ridge shown on our maps as 8000 feet above sea level. In the swamp I found three wallows, 2 comparatively small ones around which were unmistakable rhino tracks, which I took to be either those of sumatrensis or sondaicus, and the third a very large one, the tracks near which were twice the size of the others. Following the direction of the majority of these larger tracks, I found two or three forms in the jungle nearby, which the animal had obviously used for some considerable time. These forms were roughly 12' x 6' and overhanging one of them was a tree plastered with mud where the animal had rubbed itself. The remarkable point of this was, that the part of the tree which overhung the form and was plastered with mud, was, as accurately as I could measure it, 10 feet from the ground. The only explanation I can think of is that the animal had an exceptionally long horn. No elephants have ever been known to visit this part of the country. I searched the surrounding country for a fortnight with no success, but found traces of both for ladies in the jungles. After I left I do not think that another British officer was sent to this post which was known as Fort Kearey, and it has now been abandoned. I think this must undoubtedly have been the haunt of a Singpho rhinoceros, as the tracks were too large to have been made by either of the smaller varieties already mentioned. - Fort Keary in Burma. Just across border from Uhkrul, NE Manipur. – 25.23 – 94.73
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The Singpho rhinoceros
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