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| Location: |
Africa - Eastern Africa - Tanzania |
| Subject: |
Ecology - Population |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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In 1963 there were no new-born calves in the population, and only one animal was considered subadult. During the two years eight calves were born in the resident population, all during the rainy season (December to May). On the average, according to these figures, 28 % of the females bred per year. This is a remarkably high reproductive rate, as the rhinos are slow breeders, taking about five years to reach maturity, and having a gestation period, according to records from zoological gardens, of over 18 months. If, for a few years, conditions remain as favourable as they seem to be now, and if poaching can be suppressed, the population can be expected to increase, thus maleing the area even more attractive to visitors and also, by the emigration of individual animials, stocking up the surrounding areas.
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The rhinoceroses of Ngorongoro Crater
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