Memories of An African Hunter by Lyell Denis D.;

Author:Lyell, Denis D.;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hauraki Publishing
Published: 2016-07-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter VI—ABOUT RHINO, BUFFALO, HIPPO, AND LION

NO man is capable of writing the complete life-history of any animal, as the habits of a particular species vary in the different localities where it is found, and it would entail an extensive experience to get such opportunities.

For instance, the behaviour of rhinos and buffaloes differs considerably in different parts of Africa. In British East Africa (now Kenya Province) both these species are said to charge on very little provocation, whereas in the territory farther south they are not often inclined to take the offensive unless after being wounded.

All generalities, however, are a mistake, for I have heard of exceptions to this rule. It is quite impossible to say how any animal will behave under given circumstances, as one may run off and another do the opposite. Therefore it is advisable to keep a rifle handy when in the bush.

When I first went to Nyasaland the buffalo and eland were strictly preserved, but later a certain number were allowed on the licence, six of each per annum. Rhinos were not very numerous in Nyasaland, and I only occasionally came on their tracks; but in North-Eastern Rhodesia they were quite plentiful, so I saw a number at different times. I did not bother much about them, as I was usually looking for elephant when I found their tracks in the bush. A rhino treks a fairly long distance from his nightly drinking-place.

After I had got a few horns as trophies, I had no wish to shoot more for the little one could get for the horns and skins, as I never believed in making money out of anything except ivory. The tuskers were bound to be shot by somebody, and I thought that, if others went for them, I might also, and the more I hunted elephant the greater became the fascination of the game.

In my previous chapter I have given an account of some of my experiences with elephants, and could give many others if I did not wish to say something about the other game of the country. My first rhino took several shots to kill her. One of the shots fired from a heavy, kicking 10-bore double Purdey rifle upset me, as I was sitting on the side of a large anthill. The rhino bolted and (after my men and I had finished laughing) was almost out of sight in the bush, so I ran after her with a single .303 and killed her.

On another occasion I found a bull rhino asleep, and hit him as he was snoring, with a single .400 H.V. rifle. He woke up and was on his feet in three seconds, and came puffing past us into some long, sun-dried grass which threw a strong glare into my eyes as I chased him. I was so dazzled with the reflection off the bright yellow grass that I almost collided with the rhino, which had stopped to look back. Being dressed lightly in shorts with bare legs,

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