 Reference Base  The recolonisation history of the square-lipped (white) r... |
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Pienaar, U. de V., 1970. The recolonisation history of the square-lipped (white) rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum simum (Burchell) in the Kruger National Park (October 1961 - November 1969). Koedoe 13: 157-169, pls. 1-4, figs. 1-4
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| Location: |
Africa - Southern Africa - South Africa |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
White Rhino |
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It is now generally accepted that the square-lipped or white rhinoceros became extinct in the Transvaal during or just after the year 1896 (Bigalke, 1963). There is little doubt that the last survivors in the Lowveld and, indeed, in the whole of the Transvaal, frequented an area which is today included in the southern district of the Kruger National Park. It is here that Vaughan Kirby (1896) recorded the last living specimens of the species in the dense Nwatimhiri bush, along the southern bank of the Sabi river, between Skukuza and Lower Sabi. Kirby remarks on the fact that `for many years past the well-known 'Matamiri' bush, has been a favourite resort of Rhinoceros simus, but they have become almost extinct now even there. This year (1895) I came upon two in that district, a cow and a big calf, but they are decidedly rare.'
In a previous publication (Pienaar, 1963), the author did not include Kirby's record, as the presence of these large grazing animals in the dense Acacia thickets of the Nwatimhiri bush, with its very sparse cover of short grasses appeared very doubtful, and it was considered likely that Kirby may have actually misidentified a pair of black rhinos, which also found sanctuary in this region, and of which a few persisted here until October 1936.
Both Glynn (1926) and Stevenson-Hamilton (1950) were quoted as stating that the square-lipped rhinoceros ceased to exist in the Transvaal Low-veld after the seventies of the last century. Subsequent events, and, in particular, the selection of habitats by newly translocated square-lfipped rhinos in the Kruger Park would, however, appear to confirm Kirby's record. Bigalke (1963), therefore, was correct in stating that there is no valid reason to dispute Kirby's assumption that 1896 was the year when the square-lipped rhinoceros disappeared from the Transvaal.
The indiscriminate slaughter and ceaseless persecution by hunters during the latter half of the 19th century must be held primarily responsible for the disappearance of these great beasts from this portion of their erstwhile range, but it was also man who was responsible for the reintroduction of the square-lipped rhinoceros into the Transvaal after a lapse of 65 years.
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