Tun Yin, U, 1956. Rhinoceros in the Kachin State. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 53 (4): 692-694
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| Location: |
Asia - South Asia - India |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
Indian Rhino |
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The Assistent Resident of Palao Subdivision (Burma) reported in December 1955 as follows:
The Assistent Resident cannot say whether the rhinoceros are great one-horned or the Asiatic two-horned rhinoceros. But in view of the fact that a rhinoceros shot by a Lisu in the Namlang Valley in 1942 was one-horned, and one previously shot also one-horned, the rhinoceros now reported from Putao Sub-division may be a great one-horned or Indian rhinoceros which wandered into the area from Tirap Frontier Tract National Park, Assam. They could not be the smaller one-horned or Javan rhinoceros as E.H. Peacock in 'A game book for Burma' 1930, p.78 writes: 'It is open to question whether the Javan rhinoceros ever existed outside the Thaton, Salween and Mergui Forest Divisions in Lower Burma. The only definite records of its existence come from these three divisions.'
Note by editors
This is not conclusive, as R. sumatrensis has usually only one horn in evidence, the anterior one. The posterior horn is usually a mere pimple, if that. So villagers would only notice one horn. The real criterion is size, the heavy folds in the tuberculated or 'studded' skin at the shoulder etc. The species of rhino alleged to inhabit the Tirap Frontier Tract National Park (valley of the upper Dehing River) has never been determined, as only footprints have been seen in recent years. On the other hand, as R. unicornis has been seen in the nearer hills of the Tirap Frontier Division, two or three days march from Margherita, and in the Naga Hills east of Kohima, it is not impossible that it may also be found in north Burma. Thus when a rhino wa seen two or three years ago in the Tirap Frontier Division, Mr Gee sent us two pictures, one of a R. unicornis and one of a R. sumatrensis. These were shown to the man who saw the rhino and he confirmed that it was the former. More investigation is worthwhile.
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Rhinoceros in the Kachin State
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