Laos. Rhinos and elephants live in the same kind of habitat, which might explain why more rhino tracks are not identified as such. According to villagers, the tracks of both animals look very similar. Since there are more elephants than rhinos, it is likely that when tracks are seen the villagers identify them as those of elephants.
Laos. Rhinos and elephants live in the same kind of habitat, which might explain why more rhino tracks are not identified as such. According to villagers, the tracks of both animals look very similar. Since there are more elephants than rhinos, it is likely that when tracks are seen the villagers identify them as those of elephants.
Rhinos are apparently seen only at the end of the dry season (April and May) and at the beginning of the rainy season (May and June). In this period they seem to spend their time in or near ponds, creeks, or rivers. Rhinos and elephants live in the same kind of habitat, which might explain why more rhino tracks are not identified as such. According to villagers, the tracks of both animals look very similar. Since there are more elephants than rhinos, it is likely that when tracks are seen the villagers identify them as those of elephants.
Many tribal groups in Laos consider rhino hunting to be taboo. They believe that rhinos have powerful phi or evil spirits, which, if they are interfered with, can wreak terrible vengeance on a hunter or his family. For this reason it was hard to obtain detailed information about rhinos from these people. But it also adds significance to the few facts we were able to coax from the villagers.
