Aircount August 1960 of white rhino. An air count of the rhinos was carried out during the month. Good weather, with good piloting, combined to give what was considered to be a very accurate count. It amounted to 604 animals, of which 67 were small calves under two years old. The total represented an increase of 40 odd over the previous year, and 150 over the count of eight years ago; a slow but steady progress. Although the population is all the time increasing it appears that actual gross gain in numbers is increasing slowly each year, whereas the rate is slowly decreasing. Some interesting points connected with population structure: (a) Male/female ratio, with adults and immatures, is close to 1:1. (b) Between 25% and 30%. of the population is immature.. (c) Taking the greater figure above it is estimated this represents some 420 adults and 180 immatures of which 67 are known to be between 6 and 20 months. (d) Assuming equal numbers of both sexes, as appears to be the case, then some 210 adult females are to be expected. (e) Combining this with the observed number of small calves it then appears that some 31 % of all adult cows are accompanied by young of this size.
Between 25% and 30%. of the population is immature. -Taking the greater figure above it is estimated this represents some 420 adults and 180 immatures of which 67 are known to be between 6 and 20 months. -Assuming equal numbers of both sexes, as appears to be the case, then some 210 adult females are to be expected. -Combining this with the observed number of small calves it then appears that some 31 % of all adult cows are accompanied by young of this size.
Some interesting points connected with population structure: Male/female ratio, with adults and immatures, is close to 1:1.
About 45 % of all parties seen are of 2 animals, about 15 % are 2 animals (mainly males) and 9 % are groups of 3, 9 % of 4, 9 % of 5, 9 % of 6 and 4 % of 7 to 12. These ratios have not changed much, or at all in the last five years.
