A black rhino count in Hluhluwe showed that over the past three years there has been an increase in the population.
Hluhluwe, white rhino increased in numbers in certain areas and decreased in areas adjoining the crown lands. A drivem the intention of which was to return these animals to the reserve, was not succesful.
Ceratotherium simum. An aerial count of white rhino recorded 600.
`Operation Rhino' came into being during the year as one of the Board's major projects. Dr A.M. Harthoorn successfully carried out the experimental stages of this operation at Umfolozi GR. Some of the Board's field officers became extremely proficient in its technicalities under the expert guidance of Dr Harthoorn.
Three natives were tossed this year. One, a poacher, died from his injuries. The other two recovered. * In July two rangers and a game guard on a horse patrol had just negotiated a steep and stony path to the head of a cliff, when they were charged by a black rhino. The two rangers being caught on the cliff edge and unable to retreat swung out of their saddles into a tree, knowing that the riderless horses would probably get away without damage to themselves. The game guard, however, who was some distance away decided for his getaway to dash through the fast closing gap between rhino and cliff. This move caught the attention of the rhino which pursued the mounted guard at a deadly pace, leaving the rangers to round up their mounts. Only after half a mile had been covered was the guard able to shake off his angry pursuer. * A game guard in Hluhluwe was indeed lucky to be alive after being twice tossed into the air by a black rhino, resulting in gaping wounds in the thighs and buttocks. When the rhino made a third attack the guard undoubtedly saved his life by grabbing hold of the animal's anterior horn and hanging on for dear life. The rhino tossed its head violently from side to side in an tempt to dislodge the guard, and when it eventually managed this with a particularly violent shake the man was thrown aside in some bushes. At this point the rhino fled.
