1933 - Fresh tracks seen, cf. Annual Report 1934
Exists, cf Jerdon.
Skin, skull. Sex: Male. Locality: Burma, on the Mongmit side. Collected by: Game Warden, 1930. In Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.
Skin, skull. Sex: Male. Locality: Burma, on the Mongmit side. Collected by: Game Warden, 1930. In Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.
TOTAL, 21-45
Tenasserim Peninsula, 4
Uyu Drainage,4-8
Kahilu and Yuzalin,2-6
Map of Burma showing present distribution of rhinoceros
Mounted head. Locality: Burma. In coll. W.F.H. Ansell, United Kingdom
Few specimens of Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, estimated 8-15, probably arbitrary.
1946 - One of the Mongmit State officials said that there were 8 rhinos. Mr Lindsay-Smith, D.F.O. East Katham says that the number is reported as 15.
Mounted head. Locality: Burma. In coll. W.F.H. Ansell, United Kingdom
Skin, skull. Sex: Male. Locality: Burma, on the Mongmit side. Collected by: Game Warden, 1930. In Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.
Rare, following Blanford.
Official estimate remains 6. They were reported to leave the Sanctuary at times and ffed outside during the dry season, cf. Annual Report 1936 - in 1935
Shwe-U-Daung, 5-10
1936 - Six were accounted for, cf. Annual Report 1937
1935 - Estimated number was 8, cf. Annual Report 1936
1936 - Numbers below 10, no young ones reported. Locals estimate numbers between 10 and 200, cf. Annual Report 1937
At least three rhinoceros. Tracks of an adult were seen. The keepers saw two, and tracks of two other, of which one set was believed to have been a calf born in 1928, cf. Annual Reprt 1929-30 - in 1929
Estimated 4 specimens in the area, cf. Annual Report 1931 - in 1930
Four specimens estimated. The young one born in 1928 reported to be 2 ? feet in height, cf. Annual Report 1932
At least 6, reported by Mr Allsop, cf. Annual Report 1933 - in 1932
Estimate 6 specimens. In July 1933 a forester reported to have seen two rhino mating, cf. Annual Report 1934 - in 1933
Poaching 1928-1947. Numbers reported killed illicitly: 1929/30, 2 1930/31, 4 1931/32, 2 1932/33, 2 1935/36, 1 ca.1935, one killed in Karenni 1940, one killed in Arakan 1946, one killed in Bhamo 1946, one killed in Salween area Total 15 killed since 1928 to 1946
Poaching 1932/33, 2
Rhinoceros sondaicus present.
Arakan, 7-12
1938 - Estimate 12-15. Many tracks found, including a cow and calf. On the Mongmit side tracks of at least three seen. Tracks of one seen on Burma side outside sanctuary. Three rhino in the areas of the wallows. No indication of decrease, cf. Annual Report 1939
1937 - About five, probably more. Five wallows seen. No calves. Tracks found on hard ground measured 7 inches in diameter, cf. Annual Report 1938
Poaching 1940, one killed in Arakan
Poaching 1946, one killed in Salween area
Poaching 1928-1946, Total 15 killed since 1928 to 1946
Western Provinces, from Sterndale, p.410, from MS by Cockburn
1930 - Three rhinoceros seen, estimated that there are 8 to 10 altogether, cf. Annual Report 1931
Near Myitkyina, 260 square miles in extent, not specially a rhinoceros reserve, but rhino migrate there at times from the Uyu River drainage.
21-45
Pegu Yomas, 3-5
Poaching 1930/31, 4
Poaching 1929/30, 2
1929 - Game Warden saw a rhinoceros at 5000 feet. Not plentiful, cf. Annual Reprt 1929-30
1930 - A male Dicerorhinus sumatrensis shot under orders of the Game Warden on the Mongmit side, skin and skull to British Museum, London, cf. Annual Reprt 1931
1934 - One seen, cf. Annual Report 1935
Poaching 1946, one killed in Bhamo
Poaching 1931/32, 2
Poaching 1935/36, 1
Poaching ca.1935, one killed in Karenni
1931. Another rhinoceros came over the Uyu area into the Nami and Ledan valleys during the cold weather and was seen as far south as the Indaw-Banmauk road. Later it was reported making for the Meza Chaung, cf. Annual Report 1932.
1935. One seen on the left bank of the Uyu river in West Katha division, and two reported from the East bank of the Chindwin River, above Homalin. It was suggested by reports that there were several rhinoceros in West Katha, in the Namaw R.F. and Uyu drainage, cf. Annual Report 1936).
1935. Mr C. McCann of the Bombay Natural History Society observed rhino tracks between Tawmaw and Kora, north of Uyu river.
[sondaicus] - according to Cat.Mamm. Ind.Mus.Calcutta, II, p.203, 1891. I can find no mention of [sumatrensis] in the Sundarbans.
cf. Annual Report 1935 - in 1934. Two rhinoceros were rumoured in the Nam Pawn drainage in Karenni.
No actual positive reports since the end of the war. The area is very remote and sparsely populated, not disturbed in any major way by the war. It can be considered as almost certain that a few specimens exist there today.
Badak
Ta-do
Ta-do-khaw
1947 - It seems that there are a few in the area today. These rhinoceros would range in the salween and Thaton areas, possibly touching on Pegu Division.
A legend that the mountain spirits of Shwe-U-Daung do not like poaching is probably one of the most effective factors in the success of this sanctuary
1930, skeleton was found, believed Rhinoceros sondaicus, cf. Annual Report 1931
In the Salween and Thaton districts. The Sanctuary is 62 square miles in extent.
Rhinoceros sondaicus . 'Kinloch shot an undoubted specimen in the Sikkim Terai (Blanford)', also recorded in C.H.Stockley, Big game shooting in the Indian Empire, 1928.
1932 - Tracks seen, no evidence of any increase. Number estimated not more than 12. Majority in the dense jungle on the Mongmit side, and in the Ye-nya-u drainage, cf. Annual Report 1933
A few specimens at present in the Pegu Yomas. These probably range in the Pegu, Tharrawaddy and Insein Divisions, possibly Prome, maybe as far north as the southern part of Toungoo district.
1933, Prince of Wales instituted an enquiry into the adequacy of protection for rhinoceros in the Indian Empire [including Burma]. The result of this was that a Select Committee ws appointed. The penalty for killing a rhinoceros illicitly was increased. The Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act previously restricted the legal killing of rhinoceros to persons in possession of a Special Governor's License which would be issued only in the interests of scientific research. The Committee deleted this clause under Rule 18 of the Act, and added a provision to allow issuing of a License to kill a rhinoceros for medicinal purposes.
1936, Revision of Burma Wildlife Protection Act, under which it became legal for any physician, druggist or private person to possess rhinoceros blood or any preparation thereof for `medicinal' use.
Present (cf Jerdon)
1946 - A letter of the D.F.O. (August 1946) states presence of at least one family, tracks of two were seen.
Forest
Rajmahal Hills, Bihar.
cf. Annual Report 1929-30. Tracks of a rhinoceros believed to be Rhinoceros sondaicus, seen on Dawna range at 6,822 feet.
1947. Few specimes exist, from Paletwa area in the north to at least as far south as below the Sandoway-Prome road. Undoubtedly spread at times to the eastern side of the range in the forests of Mindon and Thametyo, and probably into Henzada division as wll, in addition to the Arakan side proper. More specimens here than commonly supposed.
It is a shy and retiring animal and addicted to wandering, often for great distances.
No post-war records. It seems likely that a specimen or two are in the dense jungle covered mountains of the Dawna range and all down the peninsula in the Mergui and Tavoy Divisions, undoubtedly at times crossing the Siamese border.
1930. During the year a rhinoceros crossed the Uyu drainage and came within 5 miles of the railway line in Katha division. Unfortuantely a Kachin shot it., cf. Annual Report 1931
The day is spent lying up or in a wallow, feeding usually takes place in the early morning and evening.
Wet Kyan
Kyan
poor
Swampy ground
Altitude
1937. A rhinoceros reported in Uyu valley, cf. Annual Report 1938.
cf. Annual Report 1933 - in 1932. The coast stated to be former haunt of rhinoceros
Gainda
Myanmar, Kahilu Sanctuary, 1933. Reported to be fond of eating chillie crops and doing a little damage in the fields (Ansell 1947, cf. Annual Report 1934).
cf. Annual Report 1940. Tracks of Rhinoceros sondaicus up to 11 inches in diameter
In Mergui Division, originally thought to contain rhinoceros but their presence has never been proved or disproved. The probability is that specimens may wander there from time to time.
cf. Annual Report 1937 - in 1936. Rhino reported
Refers to Weatherbe 1939, odds that species is Dicerorhinus sumatrensis. Skulls found in Kahila in 1928 and 1931 identified by Bombay Natural History Society as Rhinoceros sondaicus. It would seem that the Kahilu area was one of (if not entirely) the last refuges of Rhinoceros sondaicus in Burma, on the evidence of the skulls. (Ansell 1947).
Length of horn 10 3/4 on front curve, Java
Length of posterior horn 3 inch, average males, cf. Peacock
Length of posterior horn , mere knobs, average females, cf. Peacock
Frequents forests, and Blanford records that it has been observed at considerable elevations. But in the Sunderbans it frequents swampy ground and E.H. Peacock records a fondness for low lying swampy ground. Sterndale (1884) records one at an altitude of 4,000 feet and describes it as ?more of a forester'. It would seem from the above that the species can make itself at home either in low lying swamp or hill forest (though not as dense or as hilly forests as D.sumatrensis)
ca.1925, Appointment of full-time Game Warden
1927, Start of Burma Game Rules
1931, Post of Game Warden was retrenched due to financial difficulties
1928. There were at least two gangs of rhinoceros and elephant poachers in the Arakan Yomas, cf. Annual Report 1929-30.
1932. Illicit hunting reported. Two accused fined Rs. 50 each for possession of rhino blood and four hooves, cf. Annual Report 1933.
1940-1946. A forest ranger of Thayetmo, met by Ansell in August 1946 at Prome, mentioned: - Thaledan Forest Reserve, mud wallows used by rhino - Mindon, forests, reputed to contain few rhinoceros - Eastern side of the range, maximum number 4-5, migratory rather than resident - Blood and bones of rhino reported to be in somebody's possession in Arakan Yomas. Mr Castens, in Arakan some years ago, fair number of two-horned rhino.
Lawon
A widespread belief throughout the East in the aphrodisiac properties of rhinoceros horn, especially among the Chinese has been the primary cause of the great dimunition in numbers of all the species in Asia. The Hindus are said among others to cherish a belief in the potency of rhinoceros horn as an aphrodisiac.
cf. Annual Report 1936. 1935 - Rhinoceros prefer the dense jungle on the Shan States (Mongmit) side of the Sanctuary, there were several wallows there.
Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, the form inhabiting the Sanctuary
one at a time
Estimated 8 by head keeper, not verified, cf. Annual Report 1935 - in 1934
One calf born in year ending March 1938. Total number 7, being 2 male, 4 female and 1 male calf. Rhino occasionally leave sanctuary and visit salt licks outside, cf. Annual Report 1938 - in 1937
Originally constituted for the protection of Rhinoceros sondaicus, but investigations in 1938/39 cast doubt upon their existence. Previously two Rangers were employed to look after this sanctuary
1939/40, a specimen was identified as Dicerorhinus sumatrensis cf. Annual Report 1940
1928, calf born, cf. Annual Report 1932.
1939, calf seen by Karens at the foot of the Kyaikto hill, on the border of Thaton and Pegu districts, possibly Rhinoceros sondaicus, cf. Annual Report 1940).
The Shwe-U-Daung Sanctuary lies in East Katha and Mongmit State. It is 81 square miles in extent. It is high mountainous country with plenty of dense cover favoured by Dicerorhinus sumatrensis. Rhinoceros are found mostly on the Mongmit side of the border. The rhinoceros occasionally wander outside the Sanctuary limits.
Kyanesin
Salween Pigmy Rhinoceros. In the Game Warden's report of 1938 there is a reference to the supposed existence of a pygmy species of rhinoceros in the north of the Salween district [Burma]. A tooth found some years ago was said to resemble a wild boar tush, but was triangular in shape at the base. The Bombay Natural History Sociuety was not able to identify this tooth, but Sir Frank Colyer of the Royal College of Surgeons, London expressed the opinion that it was the lower incisor of a rhinoceros. The animal was described as 'about the size of a large wild boar, resembling an elephant in colour with scanty bristles on the hide which is thick and similar to that of an elephant. Head resembles that of a pig and carries no horn. Large tushes protrude upwards on either side of the jaw. Lives in dense jungle preferring hill tops, is very fierce and apt to attack on sight. Buries itself frequently in a muddy burrow during the hot weather.' Karen name is given as 'Ta Kheik'. I imagine this animal to be on a par with the so-called 'Nandi-Bear' of East Africa, that is to say a kind of legendary and composite beast, probably based on the rhinoceros, in which have become mixed up other species such as the pig, tapir and possibly others.
Hairy Rhinoceros
Myanmar, Kahilu Sanctuary, 1933. Reported to be fond of eating chillie crops and doing a little damage in the fields (Ansell 1947, cf. Annual Report 1934).
Weight 2000 lbs, type of lasiotis, cf. Anderson
5,000 feet, in Shwe-U-Daung, Myanmar, 1929 (Ansell 1947, cf. Annual Reprt 1929-30)
Mainly if not exclusively dense hill forests.
6,822 feet, Dawna Range, Myanmar, 1929
very good
July 1933, Kahilu Sanctuary, Myanmar - forester observed mating
very good
Horn in females small or absent
The species needs mud wallows, and these are often in the pockets of hills near the sources of streams.
Gestation period 8 months (Peacock)
Gestation period little over 7 months (Bartlett)
Dicerorhinus sumatrensis is a prehensile browser, feeding off leaves, twigs and other suitable plants inclkuding small bamboo.
Length of body Female, 12 ft 3 inch, cf. Cockburn
Dicerorhinus sumatrensis is a prehensile browser, feeding off leaves, twigs and other suitable plants inclkuding small bamboo.
Length of tail Female, 2 ft 4 ? inch (cf. Cockburn)
Length of Body 8 ft, type of lasiotis, cf. Anderson
Length of Body 10 ft (incl.tail), average of 3, cf. Peacock
Fire-Eating - not found. Several authors in their writings about rhinoceros have quoted the belief in a 'fire-eating' or 'fire-attacking' rhinoceros. I have met no reference to this in Burma from locals whom I have come across.
It uses the same place when possible for excretion, the pile of dung becoming considerably large.
Tracks of Dicerorhinus sumatrensis rarely exceed 8 inches (cf. Annual Report 1940).
Killing a rhino is bad omen. Karen belief - it is considered a bad omen to kill a rhinoceros, as doing so will result either in the death of some member of one's family or in crop failure, or similar retribution.
Female tossing logs / baby. There is a legend in Burma which i have heard quoted in widely separated parts of the country that one of the reasons for the slow rate of increase in rhinoceros is due to the female tossing logs off the track over her back, killing the young. Alternatively this story is rendered as the calf itself being thus thrown into the air.
Aphrodisiac. A widespread belief throughout the East in the aphrodisiac properties of rhinoceros horn, especially among the Chinese has been the primary cause of the great dimunition in numbers of all the species in Asia, and the rarity of rhinoceros makes the horn all the more valuable. It is said that in the old days caravans used to come from China, right across Tibet to India in search of the horn. Firearms It was, of course, the advent of the firearm which produced this alarming decrease in numbers, as before the days of guns and rifles the rhinoceros had apparently weathered the storm of centuries of pursuit reasonably well. Relying on putfalls and other primitive means, the securing of a rhinoceros, even when plentiful, would doubtless be a feat requiring unlimited patience and skill, and some courage, for the rhinoceros of all species are well known as no mean adversaries when aroused. Encroachment [Burma] Though encroachment of cultivation in some of the lower lying haunts of Rhinoceros sondaicus would probably tend to localize the species to some extent.
Length of horn 32 1/8 in, in British Museum
Length of horn 7-8 in, average males, cf. Peacock
Length of horn 3 in, average females, cf. Peacock
Length of horn 10 inch (cf. Peacock)
Burma. The Karens of Burma, and probably other races too, believe in the efficacy of rhinoceros blood and other parts in curing many ailments. In fact there is no part of the rhinoceros (including the urine) which would not be saleable at a high price.
It is said that in the old days caravans used to come from China, right across Tibet to India in search of the horn.
Height at shoulder 4 ft 4 in, type of lasitotis, cf. Anderson
Height at shoulder 4 ft 8 in, cf. Peacock
Tracks found on hard ground measured 7 inches in diameter -Shwe-u-Daung, Myanmar, 1937 (cf. Annual Report 1938).
Height at shoulder 4 ft 3 in, average of 3, cf. Peacock
Height at shoulder 3 ft 8 in, old female, Malaya, cf. Blanford
Height at shoulder 2 ft 6 in, calf 3 years old, Kahilu, Myanmar (cf. Annual Report 1932).
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