Badak Sumbu
The belief that R. sondaicus is found only in low-lying swampy country is contradicted by S. H. Prater who states that this species has been recorded at heights up to 7,000 feet above sea level. I have received reports of unusually large tracks in Malaya up to 4,000 feet. Similar feeding habits are attributed to both R. sondaicus and R. sumatrensis and I have personally observed the latter from sea level to over 4,000 feet.
Malaya. The presence of a single horn. This alone is not a sure guide for the field observer as the posterior horn in R. sumatrensis is often little more than a thickening of the skin on the nose and impossible to observe accurately in jungle.
Some years ago when the Vernay Expedition was looking for Rhinoceros sondaicus in Lower Perak, tracks, which to the best of my recollection measured 20.5 cm, proved to be those of a very old and unusually large specimen of Rhinoceros sumatrensis. A track of 23 cm. or over, measured on firm level ground should indicate the presence of R. sondaicus. The last specimen recorded from the West Coast was a very old cow collected for the British Museum by the expedition referred to and I have seen no evidence proving the presence of other survivors in this area.
Some years before the war, the late T. R. Hubback expressed the opinion that R. sondaicus was approaching extinction in Malaya, with possibly one or two isolated individuals surviving which could not propogate the species. He also held the belief that this species penetrated into the Malay Peninsula from Tenasserim, infiltrated down the West Coast, but never crossed the main range. I have never been able to see any valid reason why R. sondaicus should not have penetrated to the East Coast and have felt that a final pronouncement would be premature without exhaustive research in at least three areas from which credible reports of unusually large tracks have been received.
The information contained in Mr F. P. Burgess' letter [This Journal, p. 163, March 1951] is more valuable than he may believe. Up to date knowledge of the distribution of Rhinoceros is meagre and all first hand information is most useful not only in itself, but as narrowing the field when long overdue research can commence. The size of tracks is not conclusive, but all such evidence is valuable if supported by accurate details. Some years ago when the Vemey Expedition was looking for Rhinoceros sondaicus in Lower Perak, tracks, which to the best of my recollection measured 20.5 cm, proved to be those of a very old and unusually large specimen of Rhinoceros sumatrensis. A track of 23 cm. or over, measured on firm level ground should indicate the presence of R. sondaicus. The last specimen recorded from the West Coast was a very old cow collected for the British Museum by the expedition referred to and I have seen no evidence proving the presence of other survivors in this area. Some years before the war, the late T. R. Hubback expressed the opinion that R. sondaicus was approaching extinction in Malaya, with possibly one or two isolated individuals surviving which could not propogate the species. He also held the belief that this species penetrated into the Malay Peninsula from Tenasserim, infiltrated down the West Coast, but never crossed the main range. I have never been able to see any valid reason why R. sondaicus should not have penetrated to the East Coast and have felt that a final pronouncement would be premature without exhaustive research in at least three areas from which credible reports of unusually large tracks have been received. The war put an end to research and circumstances will not permit of resumption at present, which goes to enhance the value of reports from independent observers.
Malaya. The presence of a single horn. This alone is not a sure guide for the field observer as the posterior horn in R. sumatrensis is often little more than a thickening of the skin on the nose and impossible to observe accurately in jungle.
Malaya. The presence of a single horn. This alone is not a sure guide for the field observer as the posterior horn in R. sumatrensis is often little more than a thickening of the skin on the nose and impossible to observe accurately in jungle.
Malaya. The presence of a single horn. This alone is not a sure guide for the field observer as the posterior horn in R. sumatrensis is often little more than a thickening of the skin on the nose and impossible to observe accurately in jungle.
An exceptionally large track. This will most certainly denote R. sondaicus but again an immature specimen will not leave a large track. It will also be borne in mind that a beast leaves a very different track according to the nature and state of the ground, the speed at which it is travelling and whether up or down hill, or on the level. The nest method of identification is to measure as many tracks as possible over as long a distance as possible, making careful notes of variations in soil, the state of the weather, and whether the animal was feeding, walking steadily, trotting or galloping, on the level or up or down hill. I had casts and photographs to illustrate the different tracks made by a single beast over approximately two miles of rather mixed going, but these went to the looters in 1941 together with other irreplacable records.
The belief that R. sondaicus is found only in low-lying swampy country is contradicted by S. H. Prater who states that this species has been recorded at heights up to 7,000 feet above sea level. I have received reports of unusually large tracks in Malaya up to 4,000 feet. Similar feeding habits are attributed to both R. sondaicus and R. sumatrensis and I have personally observed the latter from sea level to over 4,000 feet.
An animal over 4 ft. 6 in. at the shoulder will be R. sondaicus, but it must be remembered that an immature specimen will not be conspicuous for its size.
