The position is uncertain in the north-eastern Congo, where, however, it is hoped that the animals in the Garamba National Park have survived the chaos.
bicornis, few hundred
The estimated number of Square-lipped rhino in the Sudan is extremely divergent. Reliable estimates are not available since no survey has as yet been carried out. In general, from what I could gather, the number is depreciating. In regard to one habitat of about 200,000 km? in area, I estimated the total number to be at least 1,000 head. On this basis, I gauge the following to be the distribution of the Square-lipped rhino in Central Africa:- South-western Sudan: 1,000 (Schomber, 1961)
In the Central African Republic, the Square-lipped rhino is said to be present in the Goz-Sassulko National Park.
The distribution of the White Rhinoceros in the Sudan is limited to the tree savannah of the Equatoria and Bahr-el-Ghazal provinces west of the Nile, which river forms the boundary for the species. They do not appear in the forest belt of the south-western border regions along the Congo boundary.
It is a very interesting fact that some Black rhino are living in a small area on the Lol river, near the village of Aweng. This locality is exceptionally thickly populated and is covered with very thick bush. The first European to encounter one of these animals was immediately attacked and compelled to fire a number of shots in self-defence. He had no time to make any observations and due to the thick bush was unable to recognise whether it was a White or Black rhino. It was only in 1947, that a Danish Expedition published the news that it had met with a small herd of Black rhinos that lived, completely isolated, in a narrow confined area. The animals appeared extremely aggressive and constituted a permanent danger for the Dinkas living in the vicinity. Shortly thereafter a few further specimens were discovered near the settlement of Tooralay in the neighbourhood of Aweng. Certain remarks by the natives support the conjecture that a small number of Black rhino are spreading along the tributaries of the Bahr-el-Arab in the neighbouring Central African Republic and indeed this report is worthy of further close investigation.
1,000, (Schomber, 1961)
2,380
80, (Grzimek, 1958)
1,000, (Grzimek, 1959)
1,000, (Grzimek, 1959)
300, (Brooks,1960)
distribution of white and black rhinoceros
In the south-western Sudan there are two protected areas, the Southern National Park and the Nimule National Park, in which the Square-lipped rhino enjoys absolute protection. In view of the fact that those animals outside the reserve also belong to the fully protected species and that poaching is very seldom encountered, one can regard the position in the Sudan as being satisfactorily under control.
The estimated number of Square-lipped rhino in the Sudan is extremely divergent. Reliable estimates are not available since no survey has as yet been carried out. In general, from what I could gather, the number is depreciating. In regard to one habitat of about 200,000 km? in area, I estimated the total number to be at least 1,000 head.
Cases of poaching may continue in the border districts of Uganda but are punished with exceptionally heavy penalties inflicted by the Sudanese government. Judging from replies to my enquiries, such encroachments occur very seldom today.
The Black rhino enjoys just the same absolute protection in the Sudan as does the White. It is listed on Schedule 1 of the Game Regulations and may only be shot in exceptional circumstances with the special permission of the Ministry of Animal Resources. To what extent the animal is affected by illegal trapping I cannot say, but very heavy punishment is prescribed for this offence. In spite of the protective measures, the position as regards the Black rhino is, in my opinion, not nearly so secure as that of the White. In the Eastern Equatoria Province there is no protected area where the animal could be assured of sanctuary.
In the recently established Boma Reserve there are no rhino.
Certain remarks by the natives support the conjecture that a small number of Black rhino are spreading along the tributaries of the Bahr-el-Arab in the neighbouring Central African Republic and indeed this report is worthy of further close investigation.
In spite of the intensive hunting during the first thirty years of this century, which caused a considerable decrease in numbers and temporarily threatened its survival, the strict protective measures introduced during the past ten years have resulted in a gratifying increase. In the Sudan the Square-lipped rhino is numbered among the completely protected species of Schedule 1 of the Game Regulations and may only be shot or captured in exceptional circumstances with the special permission of the Ministry of Animal Resources.
distribution of white and black rhinoceros
Diceros bicornis subspecies. Whether the Black rhino of the Sudan, together with those in western Ethiopia, constitutes a special geographical sub-species has up to now not been definitely established. It nevertheless appears wrong to consider it as representative of the Somali rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis somaliensis), which is a much smaller animal.
The number of the Black rhinos has been severely decimated bv intensive hunting in past decades by both the Europeans and the natives. Many early travellers (e.g. Baker, Heuglin, Brehm, Marno) state that they were comparatively numerous in the northeastern part of the Sudan near the Aethiopian-Eritrean border, towards the end of the last century. Today it has completely disappeared from these districts.
It is uncertain whether there is any extension of the distribution to the north in the district between the Bahr-el-Arab streams and the Lol river. Tracks were found, it is true, here and there in the area, but it could not be said with certainty whether they were of the White or Black rhinos. It is probable, however that Square-lipped rhino do exist in this region, since their presence has on several occasions been reported by certain authors on the other side of the border in the Central African Republic (previously Tchad and Ubangi-Chari).
In the south-western Sudan there are two protected areas, the Southern National Park and the Nimule National Park, in which the Square-lipped rhino enjoys absolute protection. In view of the fact that those animals outside the reserve also belong to the fully protected species and that poaching is very seldom encountered, one can regard the position in the Sudan as being satisfactorily under control.
In so far as habits and habitats are concerned they do not differ from their South African cousins. They live in savannah bush, where they are encountered singly, in pairs or in small troops of five or six head.
In so far as habits and habitats are concerned they do not differ from their South African cousins. They live in savannah bush, where they are encountered singly, in pairs or in small troops of five or six head.
In general outward appearance the fifferences between the animals of the north and the south are not distinguishable.
In general outward appearance the fifferences between the animals of the north and the south are not distinguishable.
In 1908 the English. zoologist R. Lydekker described the recently-discovered Square-lipped rhinoceros of Central Africa as a new geographical sub-species on account of its different skull-formation, and gave it the scientific name Ceratotherium simum cottoni. In general outward appearance the fifferences between the animals of the north and the south are not distinguishable.
In the year 1900 Major A. S. H. Gibbons shot a rhinoceros while on a hunting expedition on the Upper White Nile. On examination of the trophy by an English zoologist, Thomas, the animal proved be the Square-lipped rhino. But beyond this there was no authentic proof to support the existence of a second isolated distribution area for the species. Between 1904 and 1907 Major Powell-Cotton undertook an expedition in the then Lado-Enclave and obtained certain proof of the existence of White rhino in the Southern Sudan. This discovery caused quite a sensation in scientific circles.
Upon the Sudan gaining its independence, the Square-lipped rhino, as the
