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Rhino Resource Center: Rhino Forums > Rhinos In Situ > National Parks in Africa > social interactions

Posted by: nyukitx Jul 13 2007, 07:56 PM

I am looking for a current source of information on black rhino social interactions. I know historically it was believed that they are solitary animals which has since proven a little short-sighted. I have read books from Merz and Schenkel that suggest otherwise and I was hoping to find a source with more recent observations. If anyone knows a good book, or perhaps has some personal observations I'd appreciate the help. I want to focus on female/female relationships and calf dispersal to maybe improve a captive program.

Posted by: rhinocap Oct 12 2008, 12:31 PM

The book by Anna Merz is hugely informative, but perhaps the social image is not entirely correct. F-F interactions in the wild seem to be more common than expected, yet the species by definition of habitat and ecology is destined to be solitary and aggressive when encountered. I have recently participated as a volunteer in field research in Kenya. While on a night census I managed to get intimate views of shy brushwood based black rhino at the waterhole + loads of other close black rhino encounters. Your are welcom to e-mail me.