There are no recent statistics available to indicate the increase which is anticipated. Neither in West nile nor in West Madi are there signs of any unusual decrease and the species continues to be fairly plentiful in its customary haunts. Mr G.F. Banks was struck by the solicitude Sultan Ajai has for those which frequent his neighbourhood and which he regards almost as part of his domestic stock.
There is no dount that certain non-European licence-holders regard the one black rhino allowed on the full licence as a means of recovering the whole or at least a part of the cost of the licence by the sale of the horns.
According to local report, in the south-western portion of the Maruzi County in Lango, approx. 18 have been killed in the past dozen years.
The black rhino and buffaloes, in the past considered rarities, are now frequently seen.
Diceros bicornis . In parts of the Northern and Eastern Provinces still not uncommon, and in the Game Reserve and Restricted Sleeping Sickness area north of the Murchison Falls increasing and extending its range.
Up to 12 June 1933, 2743 lbs of rhino horn valued at Shs. 27,305 in transit had passed through the Merama Hills Customs post in Ankole, originating from regions in which the rhino either no longer exists or is extremeley scarce. It was concluded that such an enormous quanmtity of horn (not necessarily of recent origin) could only be a result of illegal dealings on a large scale. In recent months a further 1375 lbs passed in transit, making a year total of 4118 lbs, more than 1 2/4 tons, representing at least 300 rhinos. In 1931 no rhino horn passed in transit, in 1932 2084 lbs, balued at Shs. 16,355.
