Total India 300
Bihar 2
240
Nepal 50
Total Nepal 50, [India total 300, together 350].
Pairs in Calcutta since 1933, Chicago 1948, Cairo 1949, in 1952 females to Whipsnade and Basel.
In London on 10 August 1870, the male made freuqent attempts to raise the lower transverse bar by placing his horn under it. Eventually the horn became detached by violent pressure and rolled off into the yard. The animal appeared much hurt, and roared loudly. There was considerable loss of blood, but the wound healed in a few days. A new horn started to grow and reached 1 ? inch next year.
Pair in Calcutta never observed to come into heat simultaneously. Also Dr Dillon Ripley believes that the male undergoes a period of sexual excitement, just like female, and the the periods must coincide before mating can take place.
From own experience in Kaziranga, on 6 April 1939 I photographed an old bull with an old wound on the hindquarters, known as 'boora goonda', the old big bull. On 8 Jan 1950 the same bull was seen with a cow just outside the sanctuary. The same bull was still frequenting the place in April 1952. It would not be unreasonable to presume that rhino can live at least as long as the elephant, up to 70 years. * Boora Goonda was found dead on 8 June 1953, teeth very worn - Gee 1953b
In the 4 cases known to me of rhino mating in the wild, all have occurred between the end of February and the end of April, a period of 2 months. This is further borne out by the fact that newly born calves are usually seen in October and November. However, in Kaziranga a newly born baby was found dead on 22 April 1952.
Gestation period 18 ? months, Calcutta 1925
The full period of gestation may be presumed to be 19 months.
Kaziranga. Three cases have been observed in Kaziranga. On 17 April 1938, the visitor's book noted: 'A couple of rhino seen in the act of mating', seen by E.I. Matthews. 'It took them about 20 seconds to break off in surprise. The female seemed to be on her knees, but it may have been the swampy ground.' Another mating recorded in visitor's book on 24 Feb 1940, and third seen by Divisional forest Officer on 25 April 1944. On 7 March 1952, at the manager's bungalow of Hathikuli Tea Estate situated near the southern boundary of Kaziranga, about 2:45 pm, rhinos were seen by A.B. Cunningham, T. Brown, Mrs. Brown: 'At first they faced each other and there was some caressing. Then, standing nose to nose, they commenced pushing each other backwards and forwards in turn. This continued 15 minutes. Then the mating started and the male remained mounted for 1 hour and 20 minutes, while the female moved slowly about, a few steps at a time. The male was not seen to dismount during this period.'
Weight at birth 120 lbs, Full grown foetus in Nepal
1826, Kathmandu, observed by Hodgson. Hodgson Ms. in London Zoo, drawing of 'Rhinoceros, 9 years old, male, March 1, 1833. Habitat Saul forest. This animal showed first symptoms of puberty in his 10th year, when he went to Calcutta. He was born in the Durbar's menagerie, as elsewhere recorded by me.'
Height at birth 1 ft 11 in, Calcutta 1925
Length at birth 3 ft 4 in, Kathmandu 1826
Length at birth 3 ft 4 in, Full grown foetus in Nepal
Length at birth 4 ft, Kaziranga
In Basel, the newly arrived female was introduced to the male in the adjacent enclosure in summer 1952, the male showing some interest. The next stage was to let them come together in one enclosure, whereupon the female rushed at the male, attacked it and drew blood. The introduction of the two animals was repeated daily, with a daily lessening of the female's aggressive spirit until she became quite indifferent to the male's presence. In this case maybe partly due to pregnancy. In london in 1870, the male made frequent attempts to raise the lower transverse bar by placing his horn under it. Eventually the horn became detached by violent pressure, but animals were not let in same enclosure.
Weight at birth 74 lb, Kathmandu 1826
Height at birth 2 ft, Kathmandu 1826
Height at birth 2 ft, Kaziranga
Length at birth 3 ft 2 in, Calcutta 1925 - without tail
