43 HLtNflf^G tRIPS IN NORTHERN RHODESlA. 



Rhino are usually found in pairs, although occasionally a single animal will 

 be seen. 



Naturally a pair give more sport than a single beast, for one can only attend to 

 one at a time, and there is no saying what the other will do. 



Considering their large size they are very easily killed with the smallest of 

 modern rifles^ and the late Mr. A. H. Neumann, in his book, " Elephant-hunting 

 in East Equatorial Africa," mentions how effective he found the "303 rifle for these 

 beasts. And many other sportsmen have killed them with "303 and other small-bore 

 rifles. 



A big bull rhino will probably weigh quite 3 tons, and a good anterior horn in 

 this country will measure i8in. to 2oin. Their hide can be made into good whips, 

 and also into pretty tables, for with the proper treatment it takes a smooth^ amber- 

 coloured polish. The feet make nice lamp stands, or other articles, such as boxes. 



Elephant {Elephas africanus). — If a man was asked what animal he would 

 rather shoot than any other he would probably say an elephant, for he is the grandest 

 beast that inhabits the earth at the present day. Elephants are still common in 

 Northern Rhodesia, although in certain districts, which have been hunted for some 

 time, the large bulls are getting scarce. The elephant's only enemy is man, and man 

 has hunted him for ages, and still hunts him as persistently as ever. Elephants usually 

 move about in herds, and at certain times a number of small herds will pack together, 

 forming a herd of perhaps fifty to three hundred animals. Sometimes the old bulls 

 will be found singly or in couples, and occasionally five or six will be seen. Most of 

 the old animals have been wounded by natives, for any old beast will seldom be bagged 

 without several iron bullets being found in his carcase, many of these having only 

 penetrated the skin, as they have been shot out of antiquated old muzzle-loaders with 

 small charges of bad powder. A good pair of tusks will weigh 6olb. each, but the 

 average is about 251b. in this country. The average for female ivory will be about 

 81b. a tusk. 



It is difficult to say what a large male will weigh, but I have read that "Jumbo" 

 weighed 6 tons, so I would imagine a wild male, in good condition, would weigh quite 

 as much. I shall have more to say about the elephant further on. 



It will be noticed that the game list of Northern Rhodesia is a large one, and I 

 am sure that there is not another country that could produce a better, or, where 

 the licence allows, such a number of animals to be shot yearly. 



The only game animals that are restricted as to numbers at the present time are 

 the elephant, rhino, hippo, gnu, and zebra ; and two species of birds, namely, the 

 marabou stork and egret. 



