122 Wild Life in Central Africa. 



a noted locality for rhinoceroses, where Schillings only a few years ago saw 

 as many as twenty in a day, he could find only a couple of old tracks, but 

 not a single living individual. 



During the whole of his five months' journey in German East Africa, 

 Professor Bein had only one opportunity of shooting elephants, and this 

 was not due to any incompetence on his part, as he was accompanied by 

 two experienced sportsmen who knew the country well, and were adepts in 

 detecting game. 



In Umbegwi it is stated that a Boer within a period of three weeks, shot 

 nine elephants and sixteen rhinoceroses in an area of only a few square 

 kilometres. In a single week a professional English hunter killed one 

 elephant and nineteen rhinoceroses, to say nothing of other game, in 

 the Morogoro district ; while, when Professor Bein was in the neighbour- 

 hood of Lake Mweru, a German hunter shot six elephants, which had been 

 specially protected by a planter from the pure love of nature, despite the 

 damage they inflicted on his crops. 



All this, and more, goes on in spite of protests by the author, by the 

 Duke of Ratibor, Prince Solms-Baruth, Paul Niedick, Professors Sarasin 

 and Matschie, and Geheimrat Waldeyer. 



Unless something effectual is done, and that speedily, German East 

 Africa will be denuded of its big game. 



The above interesting article shows that in certain 

 districts in German East Africa a great deal of game 

 slaughter has taken, and is likely still taking, place. 



One point I can hardly follow. It says that a Boer, 

 accompanied by one negro, will go off for ten months with 

 only his rifle and blanket. 



One negro could not carry sufficient food and cartridges 

 to last for ten months, and how could the Boer transport 

 the horns, skins, or tusks with one negro ? 



A good lot of exaggerated matter is written about the 

 extermination of game in parts of Africa; but at the same 

 time there is much truth in the statements given. Unless 

 a Government is prepared to spend money on game 

 protection, and provide sufficient game rangers to patrol 

 the country, the game will be slaughtered. However, the 

 exportation of skins can be prevented by legislation, and 

 the Boers and other game butchers would stop killing the 

 game to any great extent if they found that their trouble 

 was useless, and, moreover, they can be caught with 

 efficient supervision. 



