Hubback, Theodore (1938) Annual Report on Game Preservation in Burma, p. 22
The Deputy Commissioner, Salween District (Mr. B. L. D. [Bertram Langford Denis] Rae) reported that he had heard rumours of a pygmy rhinoceros in the north of the Salween District and sent the writer a tush stated to have been obtained from this animal some years ago. The tush somewhat resembled a very large wild boar tush but was triangular in shape at the base. The Bombay Natural History Society was unable to identify the tush which was eventually sent to the Royal College of Surgeons, London, where Sir Frank Colver expressed the opinion that the tush was the left lower incisor of a rhinoceros. The Karens of the Salweed have a separate name "Ta Kheikh" for this animal and the following description has been obtained: "about the size of a large wild boar, and resembling an elephant in colour with scanty bristles on the hide which is thick and similar to that of an elephant. Head resembles that of a pig and carries no horn. Large tushes protrude upwards on either side of the jaw. Lives in dense jungle, preferring hill tops, is very fierce and apt to attack on sight. Buries itself frequently in a muddy burrow during the hot weather. The Karens on finding such a burrow merely rammed spears into it and killed the inmate." Whilst the definite existence of this animal is yet to be established there are certain grounds for believing that such an animal has existed within recent years in the Salween. Further enquiries are being made.
Comments
Post a Comment