Renshaw, G., 1904. Natural history essays. London and Manchester, Sherratt and Hughes, pp. i-xv, 1-218
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| Location: |
Africa - Southern Africa - Zimbabwe |
| Subject: |
Captivity - Zoo Records |
| Species: |
White Rhino |
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In captivity the white rhinoceros has proved a most disappointin animal, dying even when taken quite young from no obvious cause. None of the calves which have been captured from time to time have survived long enough to be taken down country, to say nothing of being brought to Europe, so that the animal has never been represented in any zoological garden. This has not been for want of trying, for many efforts have been made to rear young simus. Many years ago the thirteenth Earl of Derby sent a thoroughly competent man to obtain the white rhinoceros alive, but although he succeeded in taking several calves, not one lived long and the costly expedition subsequently fitted out by Mr. Nicholson, of Cape Colony, for this express purpose, was equally unsuccessful, although as many as nine young animals were taken.
Probably the last attempt that will ever be made in South Africa was that of Messrs. Eyre and Coryndon, who captured a calf in 1892. This youngster was vigorous and sturdy, and indeed inconveniently so - since it was only taken with considerable difficulty - yet though, eating well and provided with water, the little rhinoceros died on the eighth day after capture. It is interesting to remember that there are some animals which do not thrive in captivity from some unknown cause, such as the great kudu for example: nevertheless other rhinoceroses as a rule do very well in captivity.
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