Survey at end of dry season, 160 km of the area was transversed. Although no definitive rhino sign was observed, interviews with local hunters and forestry officials resulted in 33 reported rhino locations spanning the years 1971-1993 in the Upper Chindwin River area around Tamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary. These records indicate that a small rhino population existed in the area until early 1980's. However, with at least 9 documented rhino kills (6 adult males, 3 adult females) during the 1980's, poaching has reduced any remnant popualtion in the area to near extinction. Our guide, a former rhino hunter, saw rhino tracks in 1991. This and other recent sightings of rhino tracks indicate the possibility of 1 or 2 individuals in the noth-east corner of Tamanthi. Other sightings indicate the possibility of 1 or 2 rhinos in the forests between Tamanthi and Indawgygi Lake (Rabinowitz et al. 1995). Also Foose & van Strien 1995c.
1991, May, Rhino tracks were reported in two locations to the Forest Department, cf. Uga 1992).
Upper Chindwin,3-6 in and around Tamanthi
Uyu River,at least 10
indicating places where rhino presence is observed, 1971-1993.
26-30, cf. Tun Yin 1967
1965, Forests around Uyu River, at least 10
with map. In 1996, the Ministry of Forestry in Myanmar declared the area north of the Nam Tamai river to the Chinese border as the Hkakabo-Razi Protected Area. Visited by Rabinowitz & Saw Tun Khaing (1998) in 1996 and Feb-Apr 1997. Dicerorhinus sumatrensis which historically inhabited parts of North Myanmar, no longer survive north of Putao. Between the Mali Hka and the Mai Hka Rivers, elephants and Sumatran rhinos were reported to be present in some areas up until 1980, and a few Sumatran rhinos were still reported a decade ago.
1974, Establishment of Tamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary.
This and other recent sightings of rhino tracks indicate the possibility of maybe one or two rhinos in the vicinity of Mt Saramati on the Indian border.
Myanmar's largest portected area, 2151 sq.km. Situated in the Upper Chindwin District, between the Uyu and Chindwin Rivers, 25?26'N, 95?37'E, an area of tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forest.
