Note
Location
Namibia
Subject
Ecology
Species
Black Rhino (bicornis)
During the capture of 6 black rhino, Dr Wucher used a self-designed 'gag' to open the mouth of each immiblized animal and enable him to place a special tray in the rhino's mouth to obtain an impression of the teeth. After about 2 minutes the tray was removed and the impression cast in plaster. This method, designed to age skulls, had not in the past been succesful for live animals as the capture experts had lacked dentistry experience. This time the technique proved very succesful. It is similar to finger-printing an animal. Permanent records are immediately available and serve as identification for individual animals.
