Diceros bicornis bicornis in Kruger NP. also Diceros (Ceratotherium) simus simus.
The only large mammalian species which became extinct in the Eastern Transvaal lowveld during historical times, not at present represented in the fauna of the Kruger National Park. The last living specimen was seen by ex-ranger Kirkman along the Nwatiwambo spruit in the famous Nwatimhiri bush east of Skukuza during October 1936. Formerly these great beasts roamed throughout the whole of the Low country east of the Drakensberg escarpment and according to Vaughan-Kirby (1 896) were particularly abundant in the Nwatimhiri bush, the Gomondwane thickets, along the Timbavati river and the Nyandu bush on the eastern boundary north of Shingwidzi. The indiscriminate slaughter and persecution by hunters during the latter half of the 19th century reduced their numbers to the brink of extinction. Three were reported soon after the proclamation of the Shingwidzi Reserve in 1903 along the headwaters of the Tsende River and during the 1920's solitary specimens were seen on the Lebombos south-east of Tshokwane and along the Bubube River in the north. These were the last of the few however, and even the last survivors in the Nwatimhiri bush had disappeared forever by 1945.
Diceros bicornis. An attempt will be made to re-introduce sufficient numbers of these animals during the next few years to build up a breeding population within their selected habitats in the Kruger National Park.
Kruger NP, South Africa. Grazing although a few herbaceous species are browsed.
The square-lipped rhinoceros was at one time an inhabitant of the present Kruger National Park, although there is no evidence that it ever occurred in the area north of the Sabi River. It had been exterminated many years before the proclamation of the old Sabi Game Reserve in 1898 by native, half-caste and other hunters from the east coast. According to Glynn (1926) a few remained near Lower Sabi until the later 'seventies'. Stevenson-Hamilton (1947) thought it possible that the earliest white hunters and pioneers may have encountered it in these regions, but it certainly did not exist after the seventies of the last century. Their habitat of choice seems to have been the higher lying regions around Nelspruit, White River and Pretoriuskop and possibly also the open country of the Lebombo Flats south of the Sabi.
The square-lipped rhinoceros was at one time an inhabitant of the present Kruger National Park, although there is no evidence that it ever occurred in the area north of the Sabi River. It had been exterminated many years before the proclamation of the old Sabi Game Reserve in 1898 by native, half-caste and other hunters from the east coast. According to Glynn (1926) a few remained near Lower Sabi until the later 'seventies'. Stevenson-Hamilton (1947) thought it possible that the earliest white hunters and pioneers may have encountered it in these regions, but it certainly did not exist after the seventies of the last century. Their habitat of choice seems to have been the higher lying regions around Nelspruit, White River and Pretoriuskop and possibly also the open country of the Lebombo Flats south of the Sabi.
Ceratotherium simum. Latest estimation of numbers : 6 Adults. One female may be pregnant.
Having been extinct for 80 years or more, it was therefore an achievement of considerable merit of the National Parks Board of Trustees in translocating 4 fully mature square-lipped rhinoceros, with the aid of officials of the Natal Park's Board from the Umfolozi reserve in Natal, to a specially constructed enclosure along the Faai spruit near Pretorluskop, during October 1961. hese newcomers have settled down amicably in their new habitat and will form the nucleus of a breeding herd in one of their favourite haunts (Vide fig. xi). Two more were added to their number during 1962, so that there are now 4 cows and 2 bulls in the Kruger Park. More are to follow the coming year not only to augment the Pretoriuskop population but also to establish a breeding herd in some other suitable area in the southern district.
The only large mammalian species which became extinct in the Eastern Transvaal lowveld during historical times, not at present represented in the fauna of the Kruger National Park. The last living specimen was seen by ex-ranger Kirkman along the Nwatiwambo spruit in the famous Nwatimhiri bush east of Skukuza during October 1936. Formerly these great beasts roamed throughout the whole of the Low country east of the Drakensberg escarpment and according to Vaughan-Kirby (1 896) were particularly abundant in the Nwatimhiri bush, the Gomondwane thickets, along the Timbavati river and the Nyandu bush on the eastern boundary north of Shingwidzi. The indiscriminate slaughter and persecution by hunters during the latter half of the 19th century reduced their numbers to the brink of extinction. Three were reported soon after the proclamation of the Shingwidzi Reserve in 1903 along the headwaters of the Tsende River and during the 1920's solitary specimens were seen on the Lebombos south-east of Tshokwane and along the Bubube River in the north. These were the last of the few however, and even the last survivors in the Nwatimhiri bush had disappeared forever by 1945.
Kruger NP, South Africa. Grazing although a few herbaceous species are browsed.
Gestation period 18 months
Kruger NP. One case of twins has been recorded.
The young calf begins to graze when only about a week old but suckles for at least a year.
Kruger NP. Calves are born at three-yearly intervals.
Kruger NP. There is no fixed breeding season although females in oestrus are most frequently encountered during the period July to September.
