 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: |
Behaviour - Daily Routine |
| Species: |
White Rhino |
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As could be expected, the first few rhinos released directly in the strange surroundings at Doispane and Skurukwane, during the latter half of 1963, took a considerable time to settle down in their new home. Some of the animals wandered great distances during this period, but it was significant that many returned to the area of release before finally taking up more permanent residence in areas which they selected as suitable new habitats. A number of newly arrived animals would linger at the point of release for some time and then wandered south towards Pretoriuskop-a distance of some 15 miles. They would then move around here for a day or so and return to the Sabi on the next day. Their route during these treks to and from Pretoriuskop would take them along the Mtsawu river, which has perennial water-holes along its lower reaches, and it was not unexpected when the first signs of permanent settlement took place in this region (area marked A in Fig. 4). As more and more rhinos were brought into the Park, others wandered further afield and took up permanent residence in other areas.
The attempt to settle square-lipped rhinos in the northern mopani woodlands and savannas was an almost complete failure. Of the 15 animals originally released at Shipandane along the Tsende (area G in Fig. 4), only one bull and one cow remained. All the others strayed away and wandered around for months in an attempt to find suitable habitats. In the process some of these animals covered immense distances. Some even moved as far as Pafuri, in the extreme north of the Park, and these also entered Rhodesia from here before returning. A number also strayed across the Lebombos and were lost in Mozambique. One crossed the Letaba river and after considerable wandering in the area between Letaba and Olifants rivers eventually crossed the latter barrier and moved south. At present there are not more than nine square-lipped rhinos in the northern district, of which three are calves which have been born (two to the cow along the Tsende) since 1965.
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