Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros simus) can almost be said to be extinct; its black brother (R. bicornis) is now rarely found south of the Zambesi River, and even the Black Wildebeest is in danger of extinction. A brief period of sixty-three years has elapsed since Captain (afterwards Sir) Cornwallis Harris,[1] while encamped near the present site of Pretoria, at the foot of the Cashan Mountains (Magaliesberg), encountered large numbers of Rhinoceroses, and recorded what he had seen in the following words:—'The country now literally presented the appearance of a menagerie, the hosts of Rhinoceroses in particular that daily exhibited themselves almost exceeding belief. Whilst the camp was being formed an ugly head might be seen protruded from every bush, and the possession of the ground was often stoutly disputed. In the field these animals lost no opportunity of rendering themselves obnoxious, frequently charging at my elbow when in the act of drawing the trigger at some other object, and pursuing our horses with indefatigable and ludicrous industry, carrying their noses close to the ground, moving with a mincing gait, which ill beseemed so ungainly and ponderous a quadruped, and uttering the while a sound between a grunt and a smothered whistle.' And, again: 'On our way from the wagons to a hill, not half a mile distant, we counted no less than twenty-two of the white species of Rhinoceros, and were compelled in self-defence to slaughter four. On one occasion I was besieged in a bush by three at once, and had no little difficulty in beating off the assailants.' To-day the Cashan Mountains are topped with frowning forts overlooking a great town—Pretoria.
"In Pretoria a collection of animals was started some months before the war broke out; the Government bought a very valuable and extensive property bordering on the Aapies River, at the northern extremity of the town, and presented it to the National Museum for the purpose of erecting a new museum building and starting a Dieren-tuin (Zoological Garden). In September, 1899, a good start had been made at the building of the new museum, and quite a fine collection of animals for the Zoo had already been secured by Dr. Gunning; when I last saw them they were flourishing in their extensive runs. It was a Staats or Government institution, but we hoped soon to frame a scheme which would have made it a public concern. A few months ago there was some correspondence in the local papers as to starting a Zoo at Cape Town, but I for one do not think it is advisable to make the first attempt here. Mr. Rhodes has already a fine collection of animals on his Groote-Schuur estate, and the public have free access to the beautiful grounds. I consider Pretoria to be the most suitable place in South Africa for an extensive National Zoological Garden. In arriving at this conclusion I have borne the following facts in mind:—
- ↑ 'Wild Sports of Southern Africa,' pp. 182, 183 (fifth edition, 1852).
